Bruxism and TMJ
These habits below can increase chances of developing bruxism and can exacerbated bruxism
Sleep talking, restlessness at night, snoring, biting or chewing on cheeks or objects, chewing gum, tobacco, alcohol and drug use, caffeine consumption
Treatments
At Home – ice or heat to sore jaw muscles; avoid eating hard foods; avoid chewing gum; drink plenty of water; massage the muscles of neck, shoulders and face; relax the face and jaw muscles; ibuprofen to reduce swelling
Night guards – redistributes occlusal forces, relaxes jaw muscles, protects teeth and dental work
Medications – Anxiolytic (muscle relaxers)- temporary aid to relax jaw activity
Benzodiazepines – have anti-anxiety and muscle relaxing effects
Buspirone’s-relaxes muscles
Antiepileptics – the beneficial effects of these drugs on neuromotor diseases has led to testing for the treatment of bruxism
Gapapentin- severe bruxism
Clonazepam – manages sleep bruxism for short term solution
Tiagabine – increases the sleep stages 3 and 4 therefore decreasing sleep bruxism
Adrenergic antagonists and agonists-show beneficial effect on bruxism, specifically propranolol and clonidine
Dopamine agents
Acupuncture – unblocking energy circuits that run through the jaw area – pain relief
Massage – Randy Mosley Loyola Center for Fitness 708-327-2348 or c)708-785-5095 or rmosley@loyolafitness.org
Botox – reduces the masseter muscle enough to reduce the effects of bruxism but not so much to prevent use of the muscle. Headaches and TMJ injuries could also be relieved with these injections
Biofeedback – treatment used to treat daytime clenches by using electronic instruments to measure muscle activity wand teach patient how to reduce muscle activity when biting force becomes too great
Exercise – helps with nighttime sleep by increasing serotonin and dopamine
Natural remedies – Calcium and magnesium –
