Do you wake up feeling like you haven’t got a full night of rest? Is this sometimes accompanied by a headache or a toothache? Are you experiencing jaw joint pain? Has Dr. Lepore or Dr. Dougherty at Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry in Dunedin, FL, noticed during your routine dental exams that your teeth have been flattened or that you’re developing cracks in your teeth? Teeth grinding or bruxism can occur while you are awake or asleep.
Unconsciously clenching your teeth is typically associated with bruxism. Your teeth should only make contact for around three to four minutes during the day when you chew your food. When there is constant force on your teeth when grinding or clenching, tooth structure is worn away, exposing the sensitive inner layers of your teeth. Extreme bruxism can lead to cracks and fractures in your teeth. You may have a temporomandibular jaw disorder (TMD), which can contribute to jaw pain and bruxism.
Common Symptoms Of Bruxism
- Worn tooth structure
- Flattened teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw soreness
- Tender facial muscles
- Headaches
- Audible grinding sounds that can be heard by others around you
Teeth grinding is commonly linked to airway disturbances such as sleep apnea or acid reflux. During your comprehensive examination, Dr. Lepore, Dr. Dougherty, and your hygienist will evaluate you for airway disorders.
Sleep-Related Teeth Grinding/ Bruxism (SRB)
To brux or grind your teeth while sleeping may indicate that you have a sleep-related breathing disorder such as snoring or sleep apnea. As your body tries to take in more oxygen during a sleep “event,” a grinding habit, known as a rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA), occurs, causing spastic jaw opening/closing muscle activity resulting in grinding events.
Treatment For Teeth Grinding
Occlusal Guard (Nightguard)
Left untreated, jaw disorders, headaches, and damage to teeth can develop. Dr. Lepore or Dr. Dougherty may recommend an oral appliance called a nightguard (occlusal guard) to be worn while you sleep. An occlusal/night guard is a custom-fabricated removable oral appliance that fits over your teeth and can be an upper or lower guard. It is used to prevent the wearing down of teeth during sleep caused by grinding or clenching and can help extend the life of your teeth and restorations.
Oral Appliance Therapy For Sleep Apnea
Should a sleep disorder be suspected, Dr. Lepore or Dr. Dougherty may recommend administering a home sleep test (HST) or polysomnography (In-Lab Sleep Test). Dr. Lepore or Dr. Dougherty will work with your primary care physician and medical specialists such as board-certified sleep physicians and otolaryngologists (Ear, Nose, and Throat – ENT) to determine the appropriate treatment would be should a condition of sleep-disordered breathing be diagnosed.
While CPAP is the standard of care for sleep apnea, some patients choose oral appliance therapy as a comparable alternative.
Prevent Tooth Damage Now
Call Dr. Lepore or Dr. Dougherty today if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above or have concerns about your jaw and teeth.
