Many people grind their teeth at night and don’t even realize they are doing it. Prolonged grinding and clenching can cause major damage to your teeth and jaw, so if you believe you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep, you may want to speak with your dentist about a nightguard. At Monroe Dental Arts, we speak to each of our patients about the symptoms of grinding, or bruxism, so we can detect it early before it becomes problematic.
Signs of Bruxism
While there may not be any early signs of clenching and grinding when it comes to your teeth, there are still symptoms to look for. Most often, people will experience headaches when they wake up and have a sore jaw. Severe clenching can even cause pain in the shoulders, neck, and migraines. Prolonged pressure on your teeth will cause the enamel to chip and crack, and grinding will wear down the surface of your teeth and may make your teeth more sensitive and prone to decay.
Common Causes of Bruxism
There is not one single cause for nightly clenching and grinding, but several health and oral concerns may be contributing to your bruxism. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, bite misalignments, and sleep apnea have been found to cause grinding. Those that use tobacco, drink alcohol, or drink caffeine will also have a higher chance of developing bruxism. Grinding and clenching are more common in younger children and adults with high levels of stress and anxiety.
How a Nightguard Can Help
People that clench and grind their teeth at night often have no control over it, and will benefit from a nightguard in many ways. It will help you sleep better, protect your teeth, and help get rid of jaw pain and headaches. Your dentist will customize the nightguard to fit your teeth comfortably so you can still have a restful night’s sleep while wearing them.
Nightguard Consultations at Monroe Dental Arts
Don’t let bruxism ruin your beautiful smile. If you live in the Monroe Township, NJ area and have been experiencing some of the symptoms of night grinding and clenching, or would like more information about nightguards, please contact Monroe Dental Arts to set up your evaluation today!
