If you wake up with headaches, jaw pain, sore facial muscles, or sensitive teeth, night guards may help protect your smile and relieve discomfort caused by bruxism or a TMJ disorder. Grinding and clenching often happen during sleep without you realizing it, and understanding the warning signs is the first step toward preventing tooth wear, enamel damage, and ongoing morning pain.
In this article, we explain how bruxism and TMJ disorders can affect your teeth and jaw, the common symptoms to watch for, and how a custom-made night guard from our Houston, TX, dentists works to reduce pressure while you sleep. We’ll also discuss when it’s time to schedule an evaluation and what treatment may be recommended if grinding has already damaged your teeth.
Explaining Bruxism and TMJ Disorders
Experienced by many worldwide, is a common condition in which you grind and clench your teeth excessively. It can happen during the day or at night and oftentimes goes unnoticed by the affected individual.
Both adults and children can experience bruxism. Fortunately, most cases are easily treated with dental appliances, like night guards. More often than not, bruxism results from high levels of stress, anxiety, or an abnormal bite.
, or TMJ disorders can also play into an individual’s need for a night guard. Think of your temporomandibular joint as a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to your skull. When there is compromised or dysfunctional movement of the jaw joint, pain can occur in the facial muscles.
Our dentists will have to evaluate your teeth and jaw for obvious signs of bruxism and TMJ disorder. If tooth wear is found and facial pain is reported after waking, a night guard will be created.
Common Bruxism Symptoms
Any or a TMJ disorder should be relayed to our dentists. If left untreated, the long-term existence of either condition can result in possible loss of teeth, enamel, and more.
Bruxism may be at fault if you’re experiencing:
- Dull headaches after waking up
- Jaw, neck, or face soreness
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose
- Fatigue caused by lack of sleep
- Worn tooth enamel
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles
If you’re grinding or clenching do result in damage to your teeth, our dentists may discuss the need for restorative procedures like dental crowns or dental implants. If treatment in the form of tooth extraction is needed for severely damaged teeth, we’ll discuss this with you in detail as well. Our goal is to always save natural teeth first and foremost.
The Basics: How Night Guards Work
Night guards help protect your teeth and gums from the effects of grinding and clenching. They do this by acting as a barrier between your top and bottom teeth. Because they can’t touch when the night guard is in place, become difficult.
The night guard also gives the muscles in the jaw a cushioning effect if you do try to clench your teeth. Its presence lightens the tension put on the jaw and prevents pain in the area as well as tooth enamel loss.
Keep Your Teeth Safe & Protected
If you’re thinking about getting your teeth checked to make sure they’re healthy, feel free to contact the dental team at Clean Smiles Dental by calling (346) 266-0053 or clicking here to make an appointment.
