Do you experience sore mouth muscles or painful jaws when you wake up? Chances are, you grind your teeth unconsciously. If left untreated, bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause enamel loss, frequent headaches, or tooth loss. While there is no exact treatment for bruxism, some practices can help to reduce its frequency. Learn how you can ease the symptoms of teeth grinding:
Stress and Anxiety Management
Stress and anxiety are leading factors of bruxism. During hard moments, people will likely grind their teeth unconsciously when they are awake. This habit can continue during a calm time, which can wreak havoc on oral health. The good thing is that exercise and healthy eating can help to manage stress and anxiety. Getting enough sleep and meditation are other ways to deal with mental tensions.
Custom-Made Night Guard
As you know, bruxism can damage the teeth' enamel, leading to pain and increased chances of cavities. The good thing is that a custom-made night guard can help manage and prevent bruxism symptoms. A mouth guard acts as a shield between the upper and lower teeth. It is good to note that a night guard does not treat bruxism. It prevents tooth damage caused when teeth rub against each other.
Treat Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a risk factor for teeth grinding. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes blockage of the airway, leading to low oxygen levels. When this happens, the brain signals the jaw muscles to tighten. If not treated, this can lead to continuous teeth grinding, which can cause severe tooth damage. In this case, you can stop teeth grinding by treating sleep apnea.
Treatment options for sleep apnea may involve lifestyle changes such as lowering tobacco and alcohol intake. A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine can also help to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Is bruxism affecting your oral and overall health? Schedule an appointment today, and our dentists will create effective treatment depending on the cause of bruxism.
Thurston Oaks Dental, 4305 NE Thurston Way, Suite A, Vancouver, WA 98662 ^ (360) 514-9212 ^ vancouverdds.com ^ 12/3/2024 ^ Associated Words: dentist Vancouver WA ^
Do you experience sore mouth muscles or painful jaws when you wake up? Chances are, you grind your teeth unconsciously. If left untreated, bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause enamel loss, frequent headaches, or tooth loss. While there is no exact treatment for bruxism, some practices can help to reduce its frequency. Learn how you can ease the symptoms of teeth grinding: