If you commonly clench your teeth tightly or you grind them side to side, you have a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism can become serious if you do not control it early on as it will lead to dental problems like wearing down of the enamel and a very sore jaw. Becoming aware of bruxism during the day makes it easier to catch but at night it’s harder to control as your Memphis Dentist will need to make a mouth guard for you that will prevent you from grinding your teeth.
Some people develop bruxism as a result of too much stress in their lives. Others develop it because they have poor sleeping habits and they are unable to relax. This is why it is so important to meet with a Memphis Dental office to have your condition diagnosed and to find out what treatment options are.
Many people figure out they have bruxism because their sleeping partner tells them that they grind their teeth and make noise at night. You may also figure out there is a problem as you get consistent headaches, earaches, sore jaw, and teeth sensitivity.
Treatment options usually center around the reduction of stress along with controlling the pain by applying ice and heat packs to the jaw. Avoiding hard food will help to limit the pressure you are putting on the jaw. A splint may be needed to prevent teeth grinding at night and even during the day. Splints help to reduce clenching and a mouth guard will help to prevent grinding. When you get to the point that you need a splint, needing additional changes such as orthodontic adjustment may be necessary to improve your condition.
Surgery for bruxism is often seen as the last resort but it may be necessary for many people if the condition is not getting better and you are not responding to the mouth guard and other treatments.
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