What is Teeth Clenching (Bruxism)?
Teeth clenching (bruxism) is a painful condition characterized by involuntary excessive clenching of the teeth and grinding of teeth while sleeping.
The stresses of urban life, intense work, stress, and sleep disorders can lead to bruxism.
In some individuals, this teeth clenching condition may continue during the day as well, known as awake bruxism (bruxomania).
Moreover, we often encounter bruxism in patients who consume hard foods and especially chew gum frequently.
As a result of all these factors, you may experience throbbing pain in the temples when waking up in the morning.
You may have persistent headaches throughout the day.
Damage such as wear and tear on the teeth may occur, and in advanced stages, you may experience difficulty in opening your mouth.
It can even lead to problems such as temporomandibular joint disorders.
Contrary to common belief, we encounter bruxism in one out of every five individuals in society.
Therefore, bruxism should not be underestimated.
CAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS CAUSE TEETH GRINDING?
Although the exact cause of bruxism is not fully understood, it can be said to be a combination of physical, psychological, and genetic factors.
Bruxism during waking hours may result from emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, or tension.
Bruxism during sleep is associated with arousal during sleep, indicating a chewing activity related to sleep problems.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM (TEETH CLINCHING)?
During our examinations of individuals with such conditions in our clinic, we often observe damage such as fractures, wear, and looseness in teeth due to excessive clenching.
These conditions are often accompanied by bone loss and an increase in periodontal diseases.
Patients with bruxism may also experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold, jaw pain, and limited movement.
Damage to the temporomandibular joint can lead to clicking sounds or jaw locking.
Headaches, neck pain, and triggered migraine attacks can also be counted among the problems caused by bruxism.
If you also have such conditions, we recommend that you undergo an examination as soon as possible and receive the most appropriate treatment determined for you before your problems progress.
WHAT CAUSES TEETH GRINDING WHILE EATING?
Several factors can cause teeth grinding while eating.
Chewing disorders in our patients can lead to this problem.
Incorrectly made crowns, poorly fitting prostheses can also cause teeth grinding while eating.
Additionally, if you have missing teeth, you may experience this problem.
It can also develop due to emotional problems. We observe that feeling anxious, stressed, or angry can cause teeth grinding.
Which vitamin deficiency causes teeth grinding?
According to research, it is estimated that vitamin D plays a significant role in the control of the brain stem.
Therefore, the level of vitamin D can be associated with teeth grinding, such as bruxism.
The root of teeth clenching and grinding is associated with various factors, including bruxism, psychological issues, and sleep disorders.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT METHODS FOR BRUXISM?
There are several treatment methods that we apply in our clinic for bruxism.
First and foremost, if you have missing teeth, their treatment needs to be completed.
If you have a wrong or improper bite, it should be corrected as it can lead to bruxism.
You can protect your teeth and jaw joint from damage with night guards we provide, called night guards.
We can also treat your teeth grinding with botulinum toxin injections to your muscles.
NIGHT GUARD USE FOR TEETH GRINDING
Speaking of night guards, these guards are prepared individually for each person.
We start the process with an impression of your mouth that we take from you.
And we prepare it to fit perfectly according to your mouth measurements in a very short time.
We always first check the fit in the patient's mouth and ensure it is flawless with necessary adjustments.
We provide you with information on how to use it and deliver your guard to you.
DO NIGHT GUARDS PREVENT TEETH GRINDING?
Night guards only protect your teeth from damage caused by clenching.
They minimize lateral movements caused by grinding.
Night guards unfortunately do not put an end to existing bruxism.
If we eliminate all the previously mentioned problems and adhere to the advice and treatments we have identified for individualized problems, the combination of all these factors will put an end to your teeth grinding.
So, what is botulinum toxin, which is used as a treatment method in cases of teeth clenching (bruxism)?
Botulinum toxin, or botoks, is a bacterial product. Botulinum toxin application for medical purposes was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1989 and started to be used.
The cosmetic use of botulinum toxin began to spread worldwide after FDA approval in 2002.
How does Botulinum toxin affect muscles?
There is an increase in activity in the muscles in the jaw area due to teeth grinding.
Through botulinum toxin injections to our chewing muscles, we reduce the unnecessary activities of our excessively strengthened muscles.
When botulinum toxin is applied to the chewing muscles in the facial area, it eliminates the stress and income in the muscle due to clenching, allowing our patients to relax.
Thus, the pains caused by clenching and damage to the teeth are eliminated.
DOES BOTULINUM TOXIN REDUCE MY CHEWING FUNCTION AFTER APPLICATION?
Patients with bruxism have a muscle that has gained much more power than normal.
Therefore, a habit of eating very quickly may develop similarly while eating.
With the botulinum toxin we apply to our muscles, we reduce this unwanted excessive activity of the muscles.
This may give the sensation of decreased chewing function in some of our patients.
Although research indicates that there is a decrease in chewing force in a small group of patients who have had jaw botox, it is not expected to hinder chewing function.
While getting jaw botox, what should be considered?
You should inform us about all medications used before botox applications and if there is a history of neurological diseases.
Moreover, we do not recommend botox applications during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
In patients with active dental infections, we first eliminate the infection and then perform botox applications.
How does jaw botox affect?
Botulinum toxin prevents the transmission of nerve signals to muscles. Thus, the muscle stops contracting, and the excessive activity of the chewing muscle decreases.
When botulinum toxin is applied to the chewing muscles, it stops the muscle from clenching and grinding teeth.
Thus, even if our patients want to clench their teeth, they will not be able to.
Is botulinum toxin treatment for bruxism painful?
Before botulinum toxin application, a numbing cream is applied to the skin, and it is left on for 10-15 minutes.
Then the areas where the injection will be made are marked.
The drug is injected into the marked areas using very fine-tipped mesotherapy needles.
Therefore, it can be said with confidence that bruxism botulinum toxin treatment is generally not a painful procedure.
WHEN DOES BOTULINUM TOXIN SHOW ITS EFFECT IN BRUXISM TREATMENT?
The botulinum toxin method used in the treatment of bruxism does not immediately show its effect after application.
So, there is no need to worry
