Sleep Disorders And Your Teeth

/in /by

Sleep Disorders And Your TeethBruxism or grinding your teeth is one of the common conditions that individuals suffer with during sleep. It has been classified as a sleep disorder (like sleep apnea) and currently affects roughly 10{3b0f9398becb40f4bdd8fe95c600d2c252c33730296b97da1b334948809cb5c4} of the adult population in the US as well as 15{3b0f9398becb40f4bdd8fe95c600d2c252c33730296b97da1b334948809cb5c4} of all American children. Ironically, most of the individuals who suffer with Bruxism are completely unaware of the fact that they are grinding their teeth while sleeping. Most importantly, teeth grinding erodes the enamel and can damage any dental work that you have had.

 

What Causes A Person To Grind Their Teeth?

Despite not knowing what the cause of Bruxism truly is, the condition may involve certain factors. For instance, an abnormal bite, stressful situations, and teeth that are crooked or missing are viewed as contributing factors. If you grind your teeth occasionally, it may not cause harm to them. However, if you are grinding your teeth on a regular basis, not only will this damage them, it may eventually lead to a number of other complications such as pain and discomfort in the jaw muscles or pain related to TMJ or Tempromandibular Joint disorders.

 

Can This Condition Be Prevented?

We usually prescribe the use of a mouth guard whenever it is evident that a patient has been grinding their teeth. Once fitted over your teeth, the guard will prevent you from grinding your teeth against one another. Additionally, we may also recommend certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol and caffeine or eliminating them from your diet. You should also consider taking a stress reduction class as this is one of the primary contributory factors to Bruxism.

If you find yourself constantly waking up with a dull headache or have been experiencing increased jaw soreness, you should schedule an appointment at Community Dental Group. One of our dental hygienists or dentists can examine your teeth and evaluate them for evidence of Bruxism.