Excessive Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Are you reshaping your face while you sleep?

If you awaken with an aching jaw each morning, it’s probably because you grind your teeth whilst you’re sleeping. Sometimes the grinding can cause so much tension in your jaw muscles it can cause headaches and even disturb you or your partners sleep. Your dentist will may not have even noticed this yet as Bruxism is typically under diagnosed in dentistry. Yet the effects of bruxism can lead to dental problems as well as broaden your jawline.

If you grind your teeth a lot you’ll be exercising the masseter muscle, which is situated at the angle of your jaw.  This can mean the muscle becomes over developed and results in a broadening of your jaw, giving you a more square-jawed and masculine appearance.  You may not notice this over a period of time, but you may be surprised at how much difference grinding your teeth will have on your appearance.

Bruxism (excessive teeth grinding) can cause headaches, sleeplessness, jaw aches, and dental problems requiring expensive corrective work. Many people are not even aware that its is a recognised medical condition.

Case Study 1

Carla Ball, 32, a children's author from London, underwent Botox treatment after suffering from tired, aching and enlarged jaw muscles for years. Her dentist failed to diagnose the problem and it was only when a friend suggested that teeth grinding or clenching might be to blame that she researched the problem.

'I used to wake up with jaw pain and headaches that got worse when I was under stress at work and really busy, but I didn't know what caused them,' she says. 'My jaw was also much wider than my cheeks, which didn't really run in my family. When I saw a consultant privately, he told me my masseter muscle was huge, possibly because of clenching and grinding. I was fortunate that my teeth hadn't been badly affected as I clenched more than ground them together. 'I had a Botox injection in the muscle on each side of my jaw and within days the tension in my jaw had stopped. I have them every six months and don't get the pain I used to have as long as I also keep the stress and tiredness under control.'

Testimonial 2

Belinda Holt, 44, from Harpenden received Azzalure® treatments for her Bruxism which is an alternative form of Botox.

For many years I had suffered with bad headaches, sore jaw ,stiff neck and disrupted sleep as a result of teeth clenching. My first port of call was to speak to my dentist who fitted me with a mouth guard, but because my mouth/jaw was so sore I could not use it. After a consultation with Dr Jain he suggested Botox which I tried and have to say the results are fantastic! All my symptoms have disappeared and my quality of sleep has improved immensely. Thank-you Dr Jain

So what can you do?

That’s easy – talk to Dr Jain at Riverbanks Clinic; he’s an expert in the use of highly advanced and specialised techniques that will reduce the strength and size of your masseter muscles without stopping you chewing your food.

This is achieved using very fine, almost painless injections of Botulinum Toxin (such as Botox, Dysport or Azzalure).Within a few days your sleep pattern, headaches and teeth grinding should reduce. You will be reviewed regularly to ensure that your symptoms are fully controlled.

All it takes is a phone call to book an exploratory consultation.

Call 01582 762 877 now or fill out an enquiry form