Headache/Clenching Appliances
Do you have a sore or aching jaw? Are your teeth chipping or wearing away? Do you have headaches or migraine? Do you wake up in the morning with a stiff neck? Have you had recurrent sinus problems or earaches?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, then this may be caused by chronic inflammation of the muscles of the head and neck.
The most common cause of this is clenching of the jaw, especially during sleeping.
Everyone clenches their teeth to some degree during a normal sleep cycle, but some people do it much more. Studies have shown that sufferers clench up to 15 times more intensely than those without symptoms, which can cause damage to the joints, teeth, and surrounding muscles.
The clenching may also be associated with grinding or 'bruxing' of the teeth. However, in most cases, sufferers are totally unaware of the clenching during sleep.
Treatment involves the wearing of a special appliance to decrease the contraction of the muscles, thereby reducing the inflammation and pain.
In clinical trials with migraine sufferers in the United States, 82% of sufferers had a 77% reduction in the severity of their symptoms within 8 weeks with the appliance alone. This was more successful than any medication currently in use.
The appliance fits over the front teeth, and is small and comfortable to wear. It is fabricated in one visit, and is usually worn at night.
Generally, most patients report significant relief within a few weeks, however, a combination of treatments may be needed to produce the best results eg. Headache/Clenching appliance with anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy.
For more information, please visit www.headachehope.com