If you have a headache every morning and your teeth suddenly feel overly sensitive, then it’s time to reach out to our friendly team at Jefferson Dental Care about bruxism. Unfortunately, most people are unaware that they suffer from the condition until informed by a partner, dentist or their teeth have mysteriously worn down over time.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition that typically affects the sufferer during sleeping hours, which makes it difficult to diagnose. It is the destructive act of excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
Signs of Teeth Grinding
While the best way to determine if you’re suffering from bruxism is to visit a dentist, here are eleven signs you can look for in the meantime.
- Headaches
- Worn teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Facial pain
- Discomfort in your ears
- Tense facial and jaw muscles
- Overly sensitive teeth to hot or cold temperatures
- Dislocation or locking of your jaw
- Strange popping or clicking sounds coming from your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull
- Tongue indentations
- Damage to the inside of your cheek
Some of these signs (like having worn teeth) can be difficult to spot without a dentist’s help. That’s why we recommend being particularly cautious of waking up with headaches, having a sore jaw and sensitive teeth.
Why It’s Crucial to Get Bruxism Treated
It’s easy to dismiss teeth grinding as no big deal, especially if you don’t catch yourself doing it. However, it can lead to more severe health issues. Over time, bruxism can completely destroy your tooth enamel, cause damage to the TMJ joint and cause teeth to shift and form spaces between them. In addition, you can even break your teeth or grind them so much that the grooves in your teeth (needed for chewing) become flattened out.
It’s not easy to break the habit if you suffer from bruxism, since you’re doing it unconsciously while you sleep. However, a custom-fitted nightguard is an excellent tool for preventing bruxism and is usually enough to solve the problem, along with treating any damage to your teeth.
Custom-Fitted Nightguards
If you choose to use a nightguard to prevent teeth grinding at night, you must consult with an experienced dentist. An ill-fitting nightguard can worsen the condition or cause other oral health problems. In addition, while protecting your teeth is the nightguard’s primary purpose, your comfort while sleeping should also be a consideration when using the device.
Our dentists at Jefferson Dental Care can determine if you are grinding your teeth while you sleep and if a nightguard will offer effective relief. This isn’t an issue you want to ignore. Our experienced, professional team provides accurate diagnoses and effective solutions to all your oral health issues.
Contact us at Jefferson Dental Care to book an appointment or visit our local office in Georgia for more information about tooth grinding and effective nightguards. Nothing compares to a peaceful night’s sleep, knowing that you are not unwillingly harming your teeth.
Posted on behalf of Jefferson Dental Care
