Long-Term Consequences of Nighttime Teeth Grinding

Do you wake up with a sore jaw? Do you suffer from frequent tension headaches? Are your teeth becoming increasingly sensitive? These are signs that you are grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep. Unless you have a bed partner that notifies you of your habit, nighttime bruxism can be difficult to confirm – until you have daytime symptoms.

Bruxism is defined by the clenching or grinding of teeth. When performed at night, it is considered a subconscious habit that is often a result of stress, a misaligned bite or other factors. Bruxism can wreak havoc on your oral heath due to the fact that it creates incredible forces on your teeth and jaw, much more than they were not intended to handle. Did you know that typical chewing exerts 20 to 40 pounds on the teeth, but the pressure from grinding can be 250 pounds or more? When life gets stressful, your teeth can feel the pressure – literally!

Treating Bruxism While You Sleep

The good news is that nighttime bruxism can be treated. While finding ways to eliminate stress in your life may solve the root cause of your teeth grinding, not all patients are able to do this. In such cases, a dentist can provide a custom nightguard that protects your teeth and jaw from your relentless oral habit. These appliances are designed for comfort and protection so that you can avoid the following daytime consequences of bruxism:

  • Headaches
  • Popping or clicking jaw
  • Stiff jaw
  • Ear, neck and facial pain
  • Worn down teeth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Damaged fillings, crowns and other dental work

Don’t let your teeth grinding habit go untreated. Some of the above-mentioned consequences can be difficult and costly to reverse. Get your custom nightguard from Village Dental in NYC today!

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