Do your jaw muscles ache in the morning? Do your teeth show signs of premature wear or hurt when you eat first thing? If so, then you may be one of the one in ten people who suffer from teeth grinding during sleep. This condition is known as bruxism and can be responsible for a number of wider health complaints such as facial pain and TMJ.

For many years bruxism was thought to be caused by stress experienced during waking hours. This may be the case in some instances but many dentists have found that bruxism is often caused by a misalignment of the jaw. This causes the top and bottom teeth to sit awkwardly which can cause some irritation. This in turn causes muscles spasms to occur making the teeth grind together.

Not only will this cause erosion of the tooth enamel, which may lead to further dental complications such as decay and infection, but may result in sever muscular pain. This can be very uncomfortable and affect patients all through their waking hours. This can be even more frustrating when the cause of the problem is unknown, as it often is with bruxism.

Although there is no real cure for bruxism itself, it is possible for a City of London dentist to offer some form of relief. This may take the form of a mouth guard or dental appliance that can be worn when sleeping. This can alleviate the muscular pain and prevent further damage to the tooth enamel. In some cases it may be possible to realign the teeth through orthodontic treatment but this very much depends on the individual patient and the structure of their teeth and jaw.

TMJ, or Temporomandibular disorder to give it its full name affects the major bones and muscles of the jaw and some in the skull (this area is commonly known as the temporomandibular joint). This part of the head is responsible for talking, chewing and biting and, as such, any disorder that affects these essential and every day functions can be pretty irritating. Sufferers of TMJ experience symptoms that cover the whole spectrum of pain, from constant to intermittent, and can last for many years.
It was previously thought that TMJ was caused solely by stress but recent research has shown that there may in fact be other causes. Teeth that can cause interference with the jaw or the bite can cause misalignments to happen in the temporomandibular joint which causes pain and irritation. It is also now believed that patients who receive jolting trauma to the head or face might suffer from TMJ as a consequence.
Unfortunately for sufferers, the main and most usual symptom of TMJ is pain. This occurs for the most part in the neck, jaw and face but may also occur in the ear causing temporary hearing loss. The easiest way to test for TMJ is for your London dentist to conduct a clench test. If one or more of your teeth hurt when clenched fully then you may be suffering from TMJ. If the dentist suspects TMJ they will the then be able to carry out a further assessment of your bit and jaw movement.
Some temporary relief form TMJ can be found using hot or cold packs, but this is often little more than palliative at best and does little to address the underlying cause. TMJ can only be effectively treated when fully diagnosed by a dentist. TMJ is curable with the right treatment so if you think you might be suffering, make an appointment to see your dentist.

Your London dentist will tell you the benefits of chewing gum. Some of these include that chewing gum stimulated the salivary glands to release saliva, and exercises your teeth and chewing muscles. There are periodontal ligaments that attach your teeth to the oral bone, and stimulating these ligaments to activate their cells to stimulate healthy oral bone growth and remodelling. It is better for you to chew sugarless gum than it is regular chewing gum. Sugarless chewing gum does not provide a sugar source for oral bacteria. It helps to stimulate salivary flow, which helps to wash away bacteria, plaque, and food debris, thus reducing cavity and gingivitis risk. For those patients that experience xerostomia (or dry mouth) this can help to save the teeth. Chewing gum also helps to exercise your jaw muscles. Numerous types of sugarless gums are presently available on the market. Several of these have additional ingredients to aid in teeth cleaning, and some also contain xylitol and calcium. It has been shown in the dental scientific literature that xylitol can help the remineralisation of tooth enamel. Chewing gums that contain calcium aid in increasing the level of calcium in the saliva, thus aiding the remineralisation process. You should avoid citrusy containing gums, as they may aid in the production of damaging acids.