You may not think that you clench or grind your teeth but actually tooth clenching and grinding (also known as bruxism) often occurs at night, so you may do it though you aren't necessarily aware of it. Up to 80% of the population are likely to be affected at some point in their lives. Are you a clencher or a grinder? If your teeth are looking worn or even breaking, then it may be that you are doing this at night. Another symptom may also be recurrent headaches or migraines - the reason for them may be traced back to the night-time activity of your teeth.

What causes teeth grinding?

Stress and anxiety: this is the cause of around 70% of bruxism cases. An increase in these factors may trigger tooth clenching and grinding. Higher levels of stress can also have an adverse effect on the quality of your sleep Sleep Disorders: recent studies have shown an increased positive correlation between interrupted sleep and bruxism, though the exact reasons for this are yet unknown Lifestyle: drinking alcohol, smoking, caffeine consumption and using recreational drugs all lead to a higher chance of developing bruxism

Treatment

If you have bruxism and can see yourself in any of the above factors, it is worth trying to tackle them if possible, e.g. looking into relaxation techniques or making sure to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Here at Bamboo, we can offer you a Sleep Clench Inhibitator - the most clinically effective FDA approved treatment for bruxism. It works by affecting the muscle in your mouth (the temporalis muscle) and so controlling the amount of night-time clenching and grinding. If bruxism has already had a negative effect on the condition of your teeth, we can offer a range of solutions for repair and restoration. Please give us a call on 02920008190 or book an appointment online to discuss your options.