When you get nervous or upset, do you ever find yourself clenching your teeth? While this may seem like a simple, harmless reaction to difficult circumstance, grinding your teeth can actually has quite a few repercussions. Fortunately, if you do suffer from teeth grinding (which is also referred to as bruxism) your dentist can help.
If you grind your teeth during the day, it’s fairly easy to notice and you can teach yourself to stop. However, many people grind their teeth during their sleep. This is problematic because teeth grinding can lead to damaged teeth, headaches, and jaw pain. Similarly, people who deal with bruxism are also more likely to have sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea.
Similarly, if you’re told that you make a grinding or clenching sound while you sleep, you may be unknowingly suffering from bruxism. Other common signs of bruxism include waking up with injuries on your tongue or your cheeks, with frequent headaches, a tired jaw, or earaches. If you notice any of these signs, please visit your dentist.
Fortunately, your dentist will be able to help you overcome these problems. Depending on the severity of your situation, he or she may recommend simple treatments to help you learn to stop grinding your teeth, or could create a custom mouthguard or splint to stop you from grinding. Finally, your dentist could try to correct problems with your jaw to prevent bruxism.
If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us soon. We look forward to hearing from you soon.