Does it feel like you wake up exhausted, no matter how much sleep you get? Do you feel yourself becoming irritated, for seemingly no reason, or having excruciating headaches while trying to work? These may seem like unrelated symptoms, but they are all potential warning signs that you could be suffering from a sleep disorder or an issue like bruxism. Bruxism is the technical term for nighttime teeth grinding, and while it may sound like a purely dental issue, it can actually have far-reaching repercussions on your overall health. So, if you’ve noticed your sleep seeming inadequate lately, or just feel more fatigued than you used to, without a clear indication why, it’s time to talk to your dentist about whether it could be caused by bruxism, and the surprisingly simple ways the dentist might actually be able to help.
Know the Symptoms, So You Can Seek Treatment If Needed
Most patients struggle to get diagnosed with bruxism, because it happens primarily at night, as they try to sleep. It can also occurring during the day, but if so, it is usually subconsciously. So unless a partner has complained about the noise of your teeth grinding in the past, it’s unlikely you would even know that you have an issue.
Fortunately there are several warning signs for which to watch. Along with headaches, irritability and stress, neck, shoulder and jaw pain, some of the other symptoms of bruxism are sensitivity in the teeth (due to the excessive wear), or even damage like chips or cracks, caused by the grinding.
What Does Treatment Entail?
In some cases, particularly if the teeth are noticeably misaligned, orthodontic treatment may be able to help prevent further grinding. This is often advised when the patient is also struggling with problems or discomfort chewing, due to teeth that are naturally misaligned.
But in many cases, the treatment is actually quite simple. Wearing a customized oral appliance, similar to a mouthguard used in many sporting events, can actually help keep the teeth in a comfortable position, during the night, therefore preventing the ability to grind them subconsciously.
An oral appliance can also be helpful in treating TMJ disorder, which can cause similar dental issues and discomfort.
This can, in turn, protect the teeth from further wear and damage, but just as importantly, greatly improve a person’s quality of sleep, often leaving them feeling less anxious and irritable moving forward.
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