The Blog What is Bruxism and How do I Treat it?

Bruxism is the act of grinding your teeth and can affect individuals at any stage of their lives. Often occurring involuntarily whilst asleep or during periods of heightened stress, Bruxism can lead to an array of oral health issues so finding treatment for it as early as possible is important.

Treatment usually involves the injection of muscle relaxants into the masseter muscles in your face. These relaxants cause the muscle to shrink and stop it from working to reduce the jaw from clenching. In turn, this can relieve headaches and jaw pain – two symptoms that are commonly associated with bruxism.

Who can be treated?

Anyone who has over-active jaw muscles leading to pain and headaches should consider seeking treatment for bruxism. In some circumstances, the teeth grinding can also cause dental issues so referring to a dentist is also recommended.

The injections that are used for treating bruxism are also used as a facial slimming procedure so those considering treatment should be aware of this effect. The masseter muscles being relaxed, will result in a slimmer, V-shaped face so if patients want to keep a fuller jawline, fillers should be considered alongside.

How often do I need treatment?

The answer to this question is not so straight forward as every individual is different. The frequency of treatment depends entirely on your lifestyle, your metabolism, how badly you are suffering with bruxism and more. It is best to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced clinician to discuss your individual requirements.

There is some good news though. The more you have treatment, the longer the effects last. You will likely need more frequent injections initially but as the months and years go on, the need for a top-up becomes more sporadic.

Are there any side effects?

The good thing about bruxism treatment is that for the large majority of patients, there is minimal pain and minimal downtime. The procedure takes between 10 to 15 minutes and whilst there may be mild bruising initially, there is little discomfort.

The treatment is classed as very low risk but it may come with some rare side effects such as an asymmetrical smile. Luckily, these effects resolve completely with time and can be avoided in future treatments. Speak with your clinician at your initial consultation if you are concerned.

How to find the best clinic for bruxism treatment

As with any cosmetic treatment, when searching for a clinic it is important to do your research and choose a company that is professional, knowledgeable and highly experienced. A company that ticks all of those boxes is Contour Clinics. We only use products that are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and our clinicians are at the top of the industry.

Offering bruxism treatment from as low as $520, our procedure is affordable and promises results. To speak to a member of our team and arrange your complimentary consultation, call us on 1300 233 803 or complete an online enquiry form today.