Teeth Grinding Issues in Dublin

Are you experiencing teeth grinding? Are you aware that this habit could potentially harm not just your teeth but also your jaw, the muscles in your head and neck, and even affect other parts of your body?

The act of grinding your teeth, medically referred to as bruxism, can accelerate the wear and tear on your teeth, potentially resulting in tooth sensitivity or the need for root canals and dental crowns if the grinding persists. These practices can also weaken your teeth, leading to chipping and erosion. If left unaddressed, teeth grinding may eventually lead to tooth deterioration, jaw discomfort, headaches, disrupted sleep, and various temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition characterized by the grinding or clenching of teeth, which can occur either during nighttime sleep or throughout the day. Even if you do not engage in this behavior intentionally, it can still result in harm to your teeth, gums, and the surrounding jaw region. Bruxism can be triggered by factors such as stress, hyperactivity, or misalignment of the teeth or jaw. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can lead to different levels of pain and discomfort.

How Can I Avoid Teeth Grinding?

Utilizing an Occlusal Splint or Mouthguard

An occlusal splint functions similarly to an MCI (Muscle Conditioning and Inhibition) device. By preventing your teeth from making contact with each other, it allows the muscles in your jaw to relax. Once this relaxation occurs, these muscles can be retrained without the stress they previously endured. This approach can effectively diminish headaches and assist in overcoming teeth grinding.

These specially designed mouth guards should be worn at night while sleeping to mitigate the pain and discomfort associated with nocturnal bruxism.

How Are These Dental Devices Crafted?

Skilled dental technicians, such as those at our Dublin-based dental clinic, are responsible for crafting the anti-grinding appliances. The manufacturing process initiates with the creation of a dental impression or mold that accurately captures the shape and structure of your teeth. Both upper and lower teeth impressions are taken to provide the technician with a precise replica of your dental anatomy. Subsequently, meticulous measurements of your jaw’s movement patterns are recorded, accounting for muscle tension.

These crucial steps enable the technician to align your upper and lower jaws correctly in the laboratory and fabricate the device that will facilitate the reprogramming of your jaw muscles.

Typically, the timeframe from the initial dental impression to the fitting of your new appliance spans between two to three weeks.

Caring for Your Dental Appliance

It’s crucial to adhere to the wearing instructions provided by your dentist for your appliance. Depending on your specific case, this may involve wearing it only at night or even permanently. When cleaning your appliance, we suggest doing so over a sink partially filled with water. This precaution ensures that if your appliance accidentally slips and falls, it won’t sustain damage from hitting the hard sink surface.

Additionally, if you happen to leave your appliance out of your mouth, we advise keeping it moist. Certain types of plastics can dry out when not in use, potentially leading to cracks in the appliance.