If you've ever woken up to painful sensitive teeth, a headache, or the unpleasant sound of your teeth grinding together – a sound that's not exactly soothing to the ears – you're not alone. Tooth grinding, scientifically known as bruxism, is a common concern that can disturb not only your slumber but also your dental health. But fear not, because there's a game-changing solution that goes beyond mouthguards and sleepless nights – Myofunctional Therapy. Let's delve into how this therapy can put an end to the nightly gnashing, protect your teeth and give you back the peaceful sleep you've been longing for.

Understanding the Grind: What is Bruxism?

Bruxism refers to the involuntary clenching, grinding, or gnashing of teeth, usually occurring during sleep. It's not just an irritating noise; bruxism can lead to worn-down teeth, jaw pain, headaches, and even disruptions in sleep quality. If it happens during the day, stress and misaligned teeth play a role, and the most recent research suggests that oral muscle dysfunction is also to blame. But what about nighttime bruxism? While these other issues may be factors, the most common reason for nighttime tooth grinding is airway disturbances.

The Myofunctional Magic: How it Works

 Oromyofunctional therapy (OMT or "myo"), is a natural approach that focuses on training the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to work harmoniously and correctly. By targeting these muscles, which play a key role in jaw and tongue positioning, chewing, and swallowing, myofunctional therapy aims to correct imbalances, restore proper oral function and habituate healthy breathing patterns.

In addition, your myofunctional therapy provider is focused on the root cause and not just treating the symptoms of an oral functional problem.

By working through and ruling out common causes of bruxism and collaboration with other healthcare providers as needed, OMT helps people get to the root of the bruxism. Doing so, helps individuals get the best and lasting outcomes.

Studies Speak Louder Than Words: Efficacy of Myofunctional Therapy for Bruxism

Here's a look at just a little bit of the research that shows how myofunctional therapy improves the quality of life and outcomes of individuals who were tooth grinders:

1. A study published in the "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine" in 2019 explored the impact of myofunctional therapy on bruxism. The results indicated that participants who underwent myofunctional training experienced a significant reduction in both the frequency and intensity of teeth grinding during sleep.
2. In a 2020 study featured in the "Journal of Oral Rehabilitation," researchers evaluated the effects of myofunctional therapy on individuals with bruxism-related jaw pain. The study concluded that participants who engaged in myofunctional exercises reported a noteworthy decrease in jaw discomfort and muscle tension.
3. Another study, published in the "Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine" in 2021, showcased the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy in improving overall sleep quality for bruxism sufferers. Participants who embraced myofunctional training reported better sleep patterns and fewer interruptions caused by grinding.

If you've been silently enduring the effects of bruxism, now is the time to take action. Don't let tooth grinding steal your sleep, damage your teeth or cause you pain any longer. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation or evaluation so we can start working together to put an end to tooth grinding and all the trouble it causes, for good!

 Schedule your complimentary consultation or comprehensive evaluation here or give us a call at 812-549-0183.