Teeth grinders are in for a shock

Patients complaining of grinding their teeth in their sleep are being given mild electric shock treatment.

A chain of private dental practices in Hull is trialling a device which delivers a tiny electrical impulse when it detects grinding is about to begin.

Teeth grinding - or bruxism - is a common and usually harmless habit induced by stress. It can, however, cause headaches and stiff necks, as well as irritating a sleeping partner.



Traditional treatments involve wearing a plastic device at night which prevents the top and bottom teeth from meeting.

With this new device, Grindcare, developed in Denmark, a small electrode is placed on the temple which then monitors the movement of facial muscles. When it detects tension mounting, it delivers a tiny electrical impulse - or biofeedback.

This is not consciously detected by the sleeping patient but still serves to relax the muscles. The device is said to reduce grinding by as much as 80% within two months.