• Untreated long-term teeth grinding can lead to serious problems for your oral and dental health:

  - Tooth Wear and Cracks: Continuous clenching and grinding can wear down the enamel, cause cracks in the teeth, and increase tooth sensitivity. The chewing surfaces of the teeth may become flattened.

  - Jaw Joint Problems (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - TMJ): Overworking of the jaw muscles can lead to pain in the jaw joints, locking, clicking sounds, and restricted movement. Jaw joint pain can also result in headaches.

  - Jaw and Facial Pain: Constant muscle contraction can cause pain in the jaw, face, and neck areas. Complaints such as headaches, facial pain, and jaw pain are especially common in the morning.

  - Headaches: Dull headaches, particularly felt in the morning, can be a sign of teeth grinding.

  - Gum Problems: Teeth grinding can put pressure on the gums, leading to gum recession and sensitivity. In the long term, bone loss may also occur.

  - Sleep Disorders: Teeth grinding can reduce sleep quality.

  - Aesthetic and Functional Losses: Structural damage to the teeth can negatively affect aesthetic appearance and cause difficulties in chewing functions.

  - Tooth Fractures and the Need for Extensive Fillings: Those who continue to grind their teeth often require extensive fillings, and fractures in the teeth may occur.

The treatment of bruxism in our clinic may involve different methods depending on the underlying causes and the severity of the symptoms. Our dentists will create a personalized treatment plan for you:

- Night Guard (Occlusal Splint/Mouthguard): Custom-made transparent splints or mouthguards prepared by our dentists are placed between the upper and lower teeth during sleep to prevent teeth from grinding against each other and to protect against tooth wear. They also help relax the jaw muscles and reduce the load on the jaw joint.

- Botox Injections: In severe cases of bruxism, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections can be applied to specific points in the chewing muscle (masseter muscle) located in the lower cheek area. Botox reduces stress in the muscles and excessive chewing force, providing relaxation in the muscle and potentially eliminating the problem of nighttime teeth grinding and clenching. The procedure is quick, and its effects last for an average of 4-6 months.

- Stress Management and Therapy: Since stress is known to be a significant trigger for teeth grinding, taking steps to reduce stress is important. Stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, exercise, or psychological counseling can be beneficial.

- Jaw Exercises and Physical Therapy: Jaw exercises recommended by our dentists or a physical therapist can help relax the jaw muscles and improve the function of the jaw joint.

- Dental Treatments: If issues with dental occlusion contribute to teeth grinding, orthodontic treatments (braces, clear aligners) or other dental adjustment methods may be necessary.

- Medication Therapy: In individuals with excessive teeth clenching, muscle relaxants or antidepressant medications may be prescribed under medical supervision. However, medication alone is not a treatment method and is generally used in combination with other approaches.

In our clinic in Ankara, we provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services for international patients with bruxism, delivered by our expert dentists. With our modern dentistry practices, we aim to minimize the problems caused by teeth grinding and improve your quality of life.

Feel free to visit our clinic for healthy smiles.