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You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth and Not Know It
Do you have frequent headaches or a sore jaw? These symptoms might be the only sign that you are suffering from bruxism. Bruxism is the name for the medical condition in which the sufferer subconsciously clenches their upper and lower jaw together. Additionally, people who suffer from bruxism frequently grind their teeth. This condition can cause long-term damage to your teeth and jaw.
Most people who suffer from bruxism are not aware they have a problem. This is because it occurs most often during your sleep. In fact, most people aren’t aware of their problem until a loved one hears them grinding their teeth at night. A qualified dentist will able to recognize the effects of teeth grinding, but not until significant damage has already been done.
Over an extended period of time, if bruxism and teeth grinding are not treated, it can result in very serious oral health problems. Teeth can become fractured, loose, or even fall out completely. If this condition is left untreated it can result in the need for serious dental treatments, such as bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, and even dentures.
Nobody knows for certain the cause of bruxism, but the general consensus is that it is related to stress and anxiety. While it is important to receive treatment for these problems, especially when they are aggravating other health conditions, it is not an effective way to prevent or treat bruxism. The most common treatment for bruxism is the implementation of a night guard.
A night guard is an appliance similar to a retainer that is worn at night to prevent potential damage caused by inadvertent teeth grinding. Like retainers, night guards are made of plastic and must be custom designed to fit the patient’s mouth. It provides a cushion between the upper and lower teeth to prevent damage from grinding and relieves stress usually placed on the jaw muscles when a bruxism sufferer clenches his or her jaw.
If you believe you are suffering from bruxism it is important that you seek treatment immediately. Failure to treat bruxism can result in irreparable damage to your teeth and jaw. For a friendly, qualified dentist who specializes in treating bruxism, contact Jason C. Croft, D.M.D, Gainesville, Florida’s leading family dentist.