Do you often wake up feeling like you didn’t get a full night’s rest? Do you wake up with a toothache or a headache? Do you experience jaw joint pain the minute you crawl out of bed? Has the Gentle Dentistry of Tampa, Florida team noticed during your regular dental examinations that your teeth have flattened or that you have been developing cracks in your teeth? Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, causes you to unconsciously clench and grind the teeth, often at night during sleep.
During the day, your teeth should make contact for up to four minutes while chewing food. Otherwise, the teeth can become sensitive or even break if there is a consistent force on the teeth due to clenching and grinding.
You may have a temporomandibular jaw disorder (TMD), which contributes to jaw pain and bruxism. However, a mouth guard can help save your teeth.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM
- Grinding sounds that can be heard by others around you
- Flattened teeth
- Headaches
- Jaw soreness
- Tender facial muscles
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Worn tooth structure
Teeth grinding has often been connected with certain airway disturbances, including acid reflux and obstructive sleep apnea. During a comprehensive examination with Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto, our team can evaluate you for airway disorders.
SLEEP-RELATED TEETH GRINDING / BRUXISM (SRB)
If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you may also be snoring or have sleep apnea. Teeth grinding, referred to medically as RMMA (rhythmic masticatory muscle activity), can become problematic, especially if combined with obstructive sleep apnea.
TREATMENT FOR TEETH GRINDING
- Occlusal guard (night guard). Patients may experience jaw disorders, teeth damage, and headaches without treatment. Our team may recommend an oral appliance that is worn while you sleep. This removable appliance is used to prevent wear of teeth caused by clenching and grinding, extending the life of both your teeth and any dental restorations you might have
- Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. If you have a sleep disorder, you may undergo a home sleep test or polysomnography to determine if you have obstructive sleep apnea. If diagnosed, patients can choose between a CPAP machine or an oral appliance
PREVENT TOOTH DAMAGE AND TEETH GRINDING NOW
Call Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto of Gentle Dentistry at (813) 734-7102 if you have any of the above symptoms or have concerns about your oral health and wellness.
