What can you do to protect your smile each night before bed? While your regular brushing and flossing habit removes oral bacteria that cause decay, another threat can damage your smile while you sleep. The unconscious grinding and clenching of your teeth, also known as bruxism, can wear away at your enamel without you even being aware. Many people only discover they experience this damage when significant damage has already taken place. Fortunately, regular trips to the dentist provide the opportunity to examine your mouth for signs of bruxism and provide treatment when needed.
At your Seattle, WA dental practice, we can help you manage nightly grinding and clenching of your teeth. We can provide a custom oral guard that protects your smile while you sleep and relieve painful stress in the joints of your jaw. Made from BPA-free materials, your oral guard prevents each row of teeth from touching one another while you have no conscious control of your bite. While providing valuable enamel protection, your guard prevents the shifting of your jaw associated with grinding. For patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), this appliance reduces inflammation to provide significant relief.
Methods For Detecting Your Bruxism
If you wake up each morning with pain or stiffness around the muscles of your face and jaw, this may indicate excessive grinding of your teeth. When bruxism occurs while you sleep, you are unaware of the erosion of your enamel occurring on a nightly basis. Consider asking a friend or family member to watch over you while you sleep. They may be able to hear the sounds of your teeth clenching or see rapid movement of your jaw. Let your dentist know if you suspect this habit so they may check your teeth for signs of damage.
We can offer an oral guard to prevent further erosion of your enamel and help maintain the height of your teeth. This custom solution not only protects your teeth from damage but can hold your jaw in place to prevent strain upon your jaw. For patients with TMJ, the immobilization of your joint can prevent stress from causing a painful inflammatory response.
Solutions For Trouble With Snoring
When your loved ones let you know that you are snoring loudly at night, another prevalent sleep condition may be the culprit. Chronic obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in your airways while you sleep and one of its most common symptoms is extremely loud snoring. Because this condition can have severe consequences, an oral guard may help open your throat to allow you to breathe while you sleep.
Speak With Your Seattle, WA Dentist About Helping You Sleep Soundly
You can prevent the damage of a nightly teeth-grinding habit by wearing an oral guard. Contact Ballard Neighborhood Dentist in Seattle, WA at (206) 789-2555 to schedule an appointment and learn more about appliance-based therapy for your sleep disorder.
