Different Types of Treatment for Bruxism
Bruxism is an oral condition in which people grind or clench their teeth. In mild cases, most people will not require any treatment. However, in extreme cases, treatment may be necessary in order to prevent more damage to their teeth. Some of the symptoms from bruxism are headaches, depression, and jaw pain. There is no known cause for bruxism but it can be caused due to stress. Mouth guards, Botox, and biofeedback devices are some of the forms of treatment for bruxism that are currently being used by physicians.
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.
Treatment for Bruxism
Another one of the common treatments used for bruxism is Botox. To prevent grinding and clenching of the jaw, Botox is injected into the jaw muscles in order to weaken these muscles. An injection must be given in both of the jaw muscles in order to be effective. It should be repeated by a physician every three months. These treatment are expensive but may be covered under your health insurance.
Biofeedback devices are also used as a form of treatment for bruxism. When these devices were first created, they were battery-powered headbands that were place on a person’s head during sleeping and sounded an alarm when the person began to tighten their jaw. Through technology, several different types of this device have been developed over the years. The latest version forces people to breathe through their mouth not nose when they start to clench their teeth at night. Many people have had some type of success with this method.
Each treatment for bruxism should reduce some of the pain and discomfort a person is experiencing if the treatment is used or done properly. To assist with their treatment, a person should also try to determine the reason behind the bruxism. It is recommended that meditation and relaxation methods be used each night before bedtime if stress is a reoccurring problem. Surgery may be needed if a person continues to have severe symptoms from bruxism.
