If you wake up with a sore jaw, or if you have noticed that you just aren’t feeling as rested as you should be after a full night of sleep, take some time to talk to your dentist. While this may seem like a strange connection, your symptoms could be a sign that you grind your teeth in your sleep. This is a condition known as sleep bruxism, and it can dramatically change the appearance of your smile and harm your oral health.
With our helpful neighborhood dental team in St. Louis, MO, you have an option that helps you improve the quality of your sleep, while at the same time protects your smile from the damage of bruxism. An oral appliance is a slim mouthguard that you wear during sleep, creating a barrier to prevent the collision of your teeth due to grinding. This approach is a simple way to relieve the symptoms of sleep bruxism, so if you have been holding off on treatment, now is a great time to talk to your oral health team about your options. If you are ready to face your teeth grinding, give us a call today!
Your Teeth Grinding Could Be More Than Uncomfortable
Do you wake up with tension headaches? This is a common symptom of a condition known as sleep bruxism. While you may be able to stop your unconscious habit during the day by rerouting the energy to chewing healthy snacks or gum, it can continue while you sleep.
Bruxism can pose serious problems, both in your appearance and your ability to maintain your enamel. When you grind your teeth overnight, it can affect your alignment, which can require orthodontic treatment to correct. It can also wear down the tops of your teeth, removing tiny bits of your enamel with every collision. If you suspect that you may be experiencing this condition, it is important to speak with your oral health provider to learn about your options in treatment.
Oral Appliance Therapy Provides Comfortable Bruxism Treatment
When you meet with your dentist, ask about the use of an oral appliance for the treatment of bruxism. This method uses a slim mouthguard to protect your smile, and as you try to grind your teeth, it serves as a barrier to prevent your enamel from contact. Oral appliance therapy can also be effective in relieving tension, so if you struggle with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, this could be a way to achieve a more functional jaw.
Grind Your Teeth? Discover Oral Appliance Therapy
To learn more about how oral appliance therapy could help you limit the damage when you grind your teeth, talk to our St. Louis dental team at Magnolia Family Dental by calling (314)822-4521!
