Occlusal Splints for Headaches and Jaw Problems
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can result to a variety of painful problems involving the jaws and the head. The jaws and the teeth are exposed to unnecessary stress and force when the teeth are clenched together in an excessive and regular manner. Headaches and problems with the temporomandibuar joint (TMJ) are common in people who have long-term and excessive teeth grinding issues.
Teeth grinding is usually done in times of stress. Uncontrollable teeth grinding also happens during sleep, in which case headaches, jaw pain, and an overall feeling of sluggishness may be experienced upon waking up.
Tired of those splitting headaches that come with teeth grinding? Occlusal splints can provide long-lasting and effective pain relief.
What is an Occlusal Splint?
An occlusal splint is a dental device that provides protection from teeth grinding, by preventing the teeth in the upper and the lower jaws from coming into contact with one another. The occlusal splint is custom-made specifically according to the measurements of your teeth and oral cavity, so it feels very natural and comfortable when worn.
Pain Relief with an Occlusal Splint
We use occlusal splints to provide you with the pain relief that you need from headaches and jaw ache caused by frequent and uncontrollable teeth grinding. The splint works by keeping the lower and the upper teeth from rubbing against one another, so that the jaw and the teeth will not suffer from the force caused by clenched teeth.
The occlusal splint will be beneficial in preventing the development of a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder), which can happen as a result of long-term teeth grinding. As the teeth are ground together, the temporomandibular joint slowly becomes affected and goes through degeneration. When you have a TMJ disorder, you will most likely experience frequent headaches, as well as persistent pain in the jaw area.