Cosmetic Dentist Can Help You with Bruxism

If you wake up with a sore jaw or people have complained that you grind your teeth at night, you might have a case of bruxism. Teeth grinding can damage your teeth overtime as well as cause severe discomfort, which is why you should see a cosmetic dentist sooner rather than later. Not only can they help fit you for a night guard and help you identify the source of the problem, but they can fix any damage that has already been done such as chipped teeth. 

Bruxism is one of the most common sleeping disorders, and it is not unusual for someone to experience short periods of nocturnal teeth grinding throughout their lifetime. An occasional bout of grinding is generally harmless, although severe clenching can still cause damage to the enamel of the teeth even if short term. Stress can be a common source of bruxism, so reducing anxiety or performing relaxation exercises before bed can help diminish the urge. 

Habitual bruxism that occurs nightly or several times during the week will become a serious problem over time. While grinding primarily occurs while in a deep sleep (usually the person is unaware unless woken up during the action), it can happen throughout a normal day as well, but generally there is no gnashing. Rather the person unconsciously clenches the jaw muscles, which could be an indicator of other health issues as well. This can become quite painful and lead to head and neck aches, gum and tooth sensitivity, and other pains. Some night grinding is so loud that it can awaken and disturb a sleeping partner. But more often than not, the problem remains undiagnosed until a dental visit reveals considerable wear on the teeth that is indicative of bruxism. 

In addition to causing chronic pain and sleep disturbances, bruxism can greatly damage teeth. The enamel can wear down to reveal the dentine below. With the sensitive dentine tissue exposed, it can lead to tooth decay even with proper hygiene. Chipped and loosened teeth are common as well as receding gum lines. A cosmetic dentist will generally try to treat any visible problems using veneers or crowns to cover up damaged teeth. In addition to repairing the smile, prevention will be necessary to stop future injury. Most dentists create custom night guards, much like those used in sports, to help cushion the teeth and stop them from rubbing against each other. These should be worn nightly. 

The success of many bruxism prevention methods is questionable, and many people find themselves visiting a cosmetic dentist for repair regardless of night guards or other treatments. For people with a chronic problem, it can be helpful to try altering a personal lifestyle. It is thought that smoking, stress, poor sleep patterns, caffeine consumption, and psychological disorders may all be at the root of the problem. Working on these issues might subsequently ease bruxism. It has also been suggested that changes to diet including the addition of certain herbal supplements may be effective in treating this condition.