Headaches and Tooth Clenching/Grinding – a Breakthrough
It is well known that persistent tooth clenching or grinding will wear
down teeth and cause them to crack, chip, and break. Uneven edges of front
teeth are the most noticeable signs, but worn back teeth with broken fillings
and notches at the gum line are just as common.
An interesting fact is that most people are completely unaware they grind
their teeth. Some people with seriously worn teeth insist they don’t
grind. Fact is that most clenching and grinding, called bruxism, occurs
at night during sleep. That is why most bruxers are unaware of their habit.
In addition to the obvious changes in the appearance of the teeth, this
habit causes other signs and symptoms. The facial muscles around the jaw
and the sides of the skull can become enlarged due to hyperactivity. During
bruxing, these muscles work very hard.
As with any muscle, overuse can cause tenderness, spasm, and pain. When
these muscles become spastic, they can trigger headaches – all kinds
of headaches.
It’s amazing how many people live with headaches. Some just accept
it as normal. People wake up with headaches every day and don’t even
think twice. Some blame their headaches on sinus problems, stress, menstrual
cycle, or allergies to name a few. Truth is that the diagnosis for specific
headache conditions has been elusive, and preventive treatment almost
non-existent.
A recent study has shown what many dentists have long known; bruxing
causes headaches, and if bruxing can be reduced or eliminated, the headaches
go away. The traditional treatment for bruxism has been a night guard
– a plastic appliance worn in the mouth similar to an athletic mouth
protector. The night guard covers the teeth of one arch, and with the
night guard in place, the patient bites on the plastic so there is no
tooth to tooth contact while biting. Any night guard will protect the
teeth from wear, but a new design has been shown to dramatically reduce
muscle activity. This appliance is called an NTI appliance .
In a recent FDA study of migraine sufferers, the NTI reduced migraines
by 77% in 82% of the patients. There were no side effects and no new pain.
Nausea associated with the migraines was reduced 78%, light and sound
sensitivity was reduced over 68%.
It is our experience that the NTI is most effective in treating any headache
condition that occurs regularly, particularly those headaches that are
present upon waking.
The NTI was developed by Dr. Jim Boyd of California, who is a former
migraine sufferer. Dr. Boyd developed the protocol for his own relief.
His web site is: www.NTI-tss.com
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