When you’re awake, it can be easy to tell when you’re experiencing a health problem. You can clearly note when you feel differently, or when something is causing you pain. Those signs get harder — nearly impossible in most cases — to spot at night while you sleep. Conditions that affect you while you sleep are particularly dangerous because you may not even realize you’re experiencing them. Your teeth could actually be suffering at night from a condition called “bruxism.” This is unconscious teeth grinding that occurs while you sleep. You can combat bruxism with help from your dentist.
Bruxism and TMJ Disorders Affect Many Individuals
Teeth grinding can be caused by stress, anxiety, or even a set of joint disorders in your jaw. Whatever the cause of your bruxism, effect can be detrimental to your teeth and your overall health. Foremost, your teeth can become worn down by constant grinding your sleep. This premature wear can shorten the lifespan of your teeth and cause oral health issues in the future. The damage done by bruxism isn’t limited to your teeth. This grinding can also cause pain in your jawbone and chronic headaches that disrupt your day. Treating bruxism can be simple.
Wearing a Nightguard May Prevent Bruxism
To combat an issue that affects you while you sleep, you need a solution that works while you sleep. In many cases, a simple nightguard can help you prevent bruxism. A nightguard functions more or less like a mouthguard. By wearing the nightguard as you sleep, you’ll protect your teeth against the damage done by grinding. This, in turn, will prevent your tooth structure from becoming worn down, ultimately preserving the function of your bite. The oral appliance is still comfortable enough for you to sleep easily at night.
Oral Appliances Can Be Used to Treat Sleep Apnea
Nightguards can actually be used to treat a number of conditions that affect you while you sleep. If you are an individual who snores chronically, you may suffer from sleep apnea. This condition wakes you up hundreds of times throughout the night without you even realizing it. Again, an oral appliance can shift your bite slightly to create an opening in your airways while you sleep. This will prevent your episodes of apnea and allow you to get restful sleep. If you’re suffering from one or more of these conditions, you should talk to your dentist. Getting help is easier than you think.
Find Bruxism Solutions at Cerritos Dental Surgery
Bruxism is tricky to self diagnose because it happens while you sleep. If you’re suffering from headaches in the morning and tooth pain, you should talk to our team at Cerritos Dental Surgery. We can diagnose the problem and craft a custom solution for you.
