Information on the causes, symptoms and treatment offered in North Wales for bruxism (teeth grinding) and TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)
What is Bruxism?
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is the third most frequent sleep disorder after insomnia and snoring, and affects around 8-10% of the UK population.
If you suffer from bruxism / teeth grinding, you may find that you clench your teeth a lot during the day and/or grind your teeth at night during your sleep. This can lead to worn teeth; gum and dental problems; pain in the face and jaw; difficulty in opening your mouth; headaches; muscle ache; ear ache; tightness and stiffness of the shoulders; and – often - an irritated, sleep-deprived partner who is woken up by the sound of grinding teeth!
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Bruxism is widely recognised as a stress-related disorder, with 70% of sufferers in a recent study reporting that their teeth grinding is related to stress.
Other potential causes of teeth grinding are:
* Medications such as anti-depressants
* “Recreational” drugs like cocaine and ecstasy
* Parkinson’s Disease
* Excessive amounts of coffee (6+ cups per day) and alcohol
* Attention difficulties in children
* High stress levels at work (interestingly, the incidence of women sufferers of
bruxism seems to have risen in recent years in direct relation to more women taking
on higher-powered, more stressful jobs)
* Heavy smoking (apparently, smokers are five times more likely to grind their teeth
than non-smokers).
How Can I Stop Grinding My Teeth?
The UK Bruxism Association states that:
“The only proven treatments for bruxism are mandibular advancement devices,
hypnosis and occlusal splints.”
It also goes on to say:
“Hypnosis has long been under review and some bruxists have found profound relief from problems related to sleep bruxism. One study reviewed the long-terms effects of hypnosis and a positive outcome was still applicable even after 36 months. This treatment has promise, and for some it may be successful.”
Hypnosis is drug-free and completely safe. The recognised side-effects of hypnosis are usually improved sleep and better stress-management!
Other treatments include:
Devices worn inside the mouth to re-align the jaw and stop the teeth from meeting, such as:
Occlusal Splints, which are worn in the mouth and are designed to help keep your
teeth apart.
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD), which hold the lower jaw and tongue
forward and are generally used for the management of snoring and sleep apnoea.
In a recent study, two-thirds of people trying MADs for teeth grinding found them
painful to use
These devices are only a control and will not cure the condition. They may also feel uncomfortable to wear, or impossible for those who have a strong “gag reflex” or just don’t like foreign objects in their mouth.
In Conclusion
Hypnotherapy has been found to be particularly successful in the treatment of teeth grinding. If you live in North Wales, anywhere between Conwy and Chester, and want help to stop teeth grinding, please contact:
For a FREE, no obligation, 30 minute chat to find out how hypnotherapy can help you to stop bruxism.
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