Do you often wake up in the morning with a tight jaw, a headache or a stiff neck? Has your partner ever told you that you grind your teeth in your sleep? If you live in Vélez-Málaga or elsewhere in the Axarquía and you recognise these symptoms, there is a good chance you are dealing with the silent problem of the 21st century: bruxism.
In a world that keeps moving faster, everyday stress often shows up at night through our mouths. At Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic, based in Vélez, we want to help you spot this problem early so you can protect your dental health and improve your quality of life. Find out how we can stop your smile from wearing away! 😌
What exactly is bruxism and why does it happen?
Bruxism is the involuntary habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, usually while you sleep (sleep bruxism), although it can also happen during the day when you are concentrating hard or feeling tense. If you would like to go deeper, take a look at our guide on what bruxism is and how it is treated.
The main cause tends to be built-up stress and anxiety, but other factors also play a part, such as misaligned teeth (malocclusion), sleep disorders or body posture. Because it is an unconscious habit, many people in Vélez-Málaga have no idea they do it until they come in for a check-up and the dentist spots the wear on their enamel.
The dangers of bruxism: much more than simple toothache ⚠️
Clenching your teeth puts enormous pressure (up to 100 kilos) on your jaws, a force your mouth simply isn’t built for. If bruxism isn’t diagnosed and treated in time, the consequences can be serious:
- Wear and fractures: teeth become shorter, lose their protective layer of enamel and can even crack or chip.
- Hypersensitivity: once the enamel is gone, teeth become extremely sensitive to cold, heat or sweet things (here we explain the causes and treatment of tooth sensitivity).
- Joint problems (TMJ): the joint that connects the jaw to the skull becomes inflamed, causing clicking when you open your mouth or even jaw locking.
- Chronic pain: that constant muscle tension spreads, leading to frequent migraines, earache and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.
How do we treat bruxism at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic? ⚙️
At our clinic in Vélez we don’t just treat the symptom: we aim to protect the whole structure of your teeth. Our approach includes:
- Digital diagnosis: we use our 3D intraoral scanner to measure exactly how worn your teeth are, with no need for uncomfortable impression paste in your mouth.
- Michigan-type night guard (occlusal splint): this is our star treatment. We custom-make a hard, transparent resin splint that you wear while you sleep. It absorbs all the pressure, relaxes the facial muscles and stops your teeth from grinding against each other.
- Bite adjustment: if the cause is a poor bite, our specialists may recommend treatments such as invisible orthodontics (Invisalign) to balance your teeth.
- Muscle relaxation: in cases of severe enlargement of the masseter muscle, we use orofacial harmonisation techniques to relax the area and safely reduce the force of your bite. 🦷
Stop bruxism, sleep well again and protect your smile in Vélez! 😊
Don’t let stress ruin the shape of your teeth or leave you living with chronic headaches. A personalised night guard can make a real difference to your sleep and your everyday wellbeing.
If you think you clench your teeth at night, book your appointment at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic in Vélez-Málaga for an assessment. Our expert team will check your bite, assess the tension in your facial muscles and offer you the most comfortable and effective solution. Get back to deep, restful sleep and wake up pain-free! ✨
