It does not matter how well you take care of your teeth during the day, but there is a high chance you might be harming it during night time.
Bruxism is a common condition that many people are diagnosed with. It is where you may be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw during your night sleep or when you are in a stressful situation. And if you do not address this condition at the soonest, it can cause permanent damage to your teeth. This article mentions more details about Bruxism, its triggers, and what are its treatment options.
What Are Some Causes and Symptoms of Bruxism
Stress has been regarded as one of the most common reasons for teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Your stress level can rise at any time during the day or night. And chances are you might not even know, but you may be doing it even when you’re awake.
Our body displays physical stress by Bruxism. You can try paying more attention to your mouth the next time you are feeling stressed. Do you feel like you are clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth? If you are, you are one of 8 percent of Americans who suffer from Bruxism.
Other reasons you may suffer from Bruxism are the use of substances (drugs, alcohol, caffeine), or if you are suffering from sleep apnea, or if you have bite alignment issues. Some signs that the American Dental Association has reported are
- You may have a sore mouth or a tight jaw.
- You can notice that your teeth are slowly and gradually wearing down in an odd pattern.
- Your spouse may be able to see that you are grinding your teeth at night in bed. Although the sound may not be loud it would be clear to your partner to notice.
- Suppose you are feeling earaches and headaches as this a result of long-term jaw clenching. You may feel it’s an ear infection or a migraine, but it is how closely different parts of your face are related.
You might not be able to notice these changes overnight, but you will see them over time.
How To Diagnose And Treat Bruxism
There is no better way than to give a quick visit to your dentist. To discuss your symptoms with him to know if you are suffering from Bruxism or not. Your dentist will look into all your wear patterns, check your jaw, and conclude that you are unconsciously grinding or clenching your teeth.
This is going to be the starting point of your treatment. From here, your dentist will prescribe you a mouthguard. You will need to wear the mouth guard before bedtime. And it will stop your teeth from touching one another, which will result in you waking up pain-free. And more refreshed because you have had a better sleep.
It will take a little bit of time until you get used to the mouth guard. But by wearing it every night, your mouth will adjust, and eventually, the thought will leave you wondering how did you ever sleep without wearing one.
Remember that this approach will only stop the symptoms of Bruxism, and it is not a cure for the core problem. To dig deep and solve the underlying issue, you will need to consult a sleep specialist who will help with your sleep apnea problems. And if your Bruxism is due to stress issues, you will need to consult a therapist who will help you with related issues. But during all these treatments, you will have to involve your dentist determine the effects on your teeth.
If you can relate some symptoms with your conditions, then visit our experienced dentists for a quick consultation at Almond Dental. And our dentists will help you. Call 763-762-7177 for appointments.