If you grind your teeth while you sleep, your bed partner has probably made you aware of your nightly habit. However, teeth grinding can do more than disrupt your partner’s sleep. It can lead to serious problems within your oral health, and it can be a warning sign of excessive stress, a misaligned bite or chronic sleep apnea. Determining why you grind your teeth can be just as important as treating this harmful habit.
Teeth grinding is referred to as bruxism. It can involve simply clenching the teeth together or a slight yet forceful rubbing of the upper and lower teeth against each other. In either case, consequences can follow. If left untreated, bruxism can cause the following threats to your oral health and well-being:
- Worn down teeth
- Jaw pain, stiffness or popping (TMD)
- Morning headaches
- Sensitive teeth
- Loose teeth
- Damaged dental work (fillings, crowns, veneers, etc)
What You Can Do
Treating bruxism involves protecting your teeth and trying to prevent the subconscious habit from taking place while you sleep. This is accomplished with a custom nightguard. At West Hill Family Dental, we provide mouthguards that are specifically designed to protect your teeth while you sleep. While the first course of action is to address the culprit of your habit, such as lowering your stress levels or undergoing orthodontic treatment for a misaligned bite, a custom nightguard can be an effective solution to ensure the habit stops causing damage.
If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw or your partner complains of your habit during the night, talk to a bruxism dentist for help. West Hill Family Dental can protect your smile and your quality of sleep!
Posted on behalf of West Hill Family Dental