TMD Grinding Muscle Relaxant

TMD Grinding Effects

At Avenue Dental, we are in the very fortunate position of being able to use muscle relaxants to treat pain related to clenching or grinding of teeth, or TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

The most common form is from grinding teeth against each other, usually occurring during sleep.  People may also clench their teeth which can be caused by stress, anxiety or concentrating. Habits such as nail biting or chewing pens or pencils can also cause pain in the jaw joints and muscles in the face and around it.

Aside from pain, if teeth grinding is left untreated it has consequences for your teeth. Grinding teeth wears them down.  The length of a healthy unworn front tooth is about 10 – 11mm. If a tooth is worn down even a few millimetres, 30 percent of the tooth is lost.

Sometimes teeth wear so extensively only a couple of millimetres of tooth remains. At this point treatment options are limited.

The teeth may wear so much that its nerves become exposed, which can be very painful. Teeth wearing is usually a slow process so most people are not aware of it happening.

TMD Grinding Treatment Options

If the treatment is right for you, pending your consultation, the options available can reduce the closing pressure of the masseter muscle and this reduces the intensity of clenching/ grinding. The procedure options has been shown to reduce headaches and pain in the muscles of the face. A combination of treatment options can be used together and can significantly reduce tooth wear (shortening of teeth) and reduce jaw pain from clenching/grinding.

For TMD Grinding Muscle Relaxant Treatment please contact any of our friendly Sunshine Coast and Brisbane dental practices in Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Bli Bli, North Lakes, Baringa, Sippy Downs, Tewantin, Murrumba Downs, Beerwah and Woolloongabba book on-line now, or feel free to call or email our wonderful reception teams.