Bouts of bruxism can pass quickly for some, but for others it can be a chronic condition with many short and long term effects. These effects can include:
- Headaches and migraines
- Facial pain
- Ear ache
- Stiff neck and shoulders
- Sleep disturbance (For partners as well as sufferers!)
- Broken and/or mobile teeth
- Tooth wear
- Receding gums
- Limited opening of the mouth
- Clicking or popping jaw joints
These symptoms can become quite serious and have a negative impact on a person's quality of life. Many people seek advise from their GP when they have these symptoms but usually the best person to speak to, is your dentist.
In the past, patients would have been given a soft splint to wear over all of the lower teeth overnight. Whilst this was effective in protecting your teeth from damage and wear, it does not provide relief to the over-worked facial muscles affected by clenching and grinding.
Clinical studies have shown that a much more effective treatment is a new-generation of splint know as a NTI splint. This is worn over the front teeth only, making it more comfortable than traditional splints. It works be reducing the intensity of the force being used by the facial muscles when clenching and grinding, rather than simply acting acting as a barrier between teeth.
At Wessington Way, we have been making NTI splints for over two years, which have provided relief from symptoms for our patients.
An NTI splint can be made in one visit to the practice, taking about 30 minutes to do so. If you think you may be a bruxism sufferer, please contact the practice to arrange an appointment to see a dentist.
To find out more about NTI splints, please visit www.headacheprevention.com
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