Bruxism is a condition which may cause people to grind and clench their teeth during their sleep. Most people, who have mild cases, will not require major treatment. However, treatment may be necessary to prevent further damage in extreme cases. Bruxism can cause headaches, jaw pain, and depression. Studies have not found a cause for bruxism but stress is a well known trigger. Some of the different methods of treatment for bruxism are mouth guards, Botox, and biofeedback devices.
One of the different forms of treatment for bruxism is a mouth guard. To prevent a person from grinding their teeth, it should be worn each night. You can purchased a mouth guard at your local store or have one made just for you by your dentist. The cost of custom made mouth guards can cost up to $500. While mouth guards do not cure bruxism, they are good for preventing more damage.
Botox is another one of the different forms of treatment for bruxism. By injecting the Botox into the jaw muscles, the injection will weaken these muscles to prevent the grinding and clenching of the jaw. Both jaw muscles must be injected in order to see the benefits. It should be repeated by a physician every three months. These treatments may be covered under your health insurance plan but they are very expensive.
Another form of treatment of bruxism is a biofeedback device. The first type of these devices was battery-powered headbands that sounded a low alarm when the person began to tighten their jaw during their sleep. Over the years, different biofeedback devices have been developed to prevent a sleeping person from clenching their teeth. One of the up to date versions prevents a person from clenching their teeth by making them breath through their mouth instead of nose. There have been some success stories with the use of the method for many people.
Pain and discomfort from bruxism can be reduced by each treatment for bruxism if it is used properly. In order to help with the problems, each person should try to determine what trigger their bruxism. Relaxation and meditation tips should be done each night before bed if stress is one of the causes for bruxism. If a person continues have severe symptoms from bruxism, then they may need to visit a physician to discuss surgery options.
