Bruxism – a real pain in the neck

Many of our patients who may suffer with chronic tension headaches, neck and shoulder pain have most probably tried every kind of medication and have had every test, finally resigning themselves to living with the constant pain.

Unfortunately, most people are unaware of bruxism and the fact this dental-related issue can be the cause of the problem. These sufferers generally clench their teeth subconsciously during sleep, allowing them to apply prolonged and intense forces, but without the conscious ability to attribute the process to their symptoms.

We know that even minor contact over time can cause damage to teeth and dental work, but this prolonged and intense clenching leads to the more debilitating problem of recurrent tension headaches from tired and tense muscles that are working when they should be resting.