Bruxism treatment in Palma

Bruxism, a common condition that affects many people without them realizing it, consists of involuntary teeth grinding or clenching, especially during the night. This repetitive action can lead to significant dental problems, such as enamel wear, jaw pain, headaches, and sleep disturbances. We are a dental clinic in Palma dedicated to effectively diagnosing and treating bruxism to prevent these consequences and restore our patients’ oral health.

• Excessive Tooth Wear: One of the most obvious signs of bruxism is abnormal tooth wear. This may manifest as flat, chipped, or fractured teeth, as well as thinning enamel.
• Facial Pain: Many patients with bruxism experience pain in the jaw, face, or around the ears. This pain is usually more intense in the morning due to nighttime clenching.
• Frequent Headaches: Bruxism can cause tension headaches, often felt as pressure in the forehead or the back of the head. These headaches can be recurring and bothersome.
• Neck and Shoulder Pain: The muscle tension resulting from constant clenching of the teeth can also affect the neck and shoulder muscles, causing additional discomfort.
• Ear Pain: Bruxism can cause ear pain due to its proximity to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This can lead to confusion with ear problems.
• Sleep Disorders: Many people with bruxism also suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia or frequent waking during the night due to teeth grinding.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Tooth enamel damaged by bruxism can make teeth more sensitive to heat, cold, or sweet or acidic foods.
• Irregular Bite: Some patients may notice that their bite has become irregular or that they have difficulty closing their mouth properly.

• Night Guards: Night guards are one of the most common treatments for bruxism. These are custom-made pieces of hard plastic or acrylic that are placed over the upper or lower teeth. Their main goal is to create a physical barrier to prevent direct contact between the teeth during the night, thus reducing dental wear and teeth grinding. These guards should be designed and adjusted by a dentist.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a treatment option that focuses on addressing the emotional causes of bruxism, such as stress and anxiety. A specialized therapist works with the patient to identify emotional triggers for bruxism and develop strategies to manage them.
• Correction of Malocclusions: In some cases, bruxism may be related to misalignment of the teeth, known as malocclusion. In such cases, an orthodontist may evaluate the bite and recommend treatments like braces or aligners to correct dental alignment. By correcting malocclusion, abnormal pressure on the teeth and jaw can be reduced, which in turn can alleviate bruxism.