Many patients have sleep-related breathing, teeth grinding, or jaw clenching problems. Did you know that your dentist can help?
Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching
Teeth grinding, which often happens while you sleep, can be caused by stress and anxiety but also by sleep disorders or an abnormal bite or due to missing or crooked teeth. A study in the November 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association suggests that teeth grinding is also associated with alcohol and tobacco use. People who drink alcohol and smokers are approximately twice as likely to grind their teeth.
The symptoms of teeth grinding include:
• dull headaches
• jaw soreness
• teeth that are painful or loose
• teeth that are cold sensitive
• fractured teeth
• pain behind your eyes
• ringing in your ears
There are solutions:
We can fit you with an oral appliance, a custom mouth guard, to protect your teeth and align your jaw during sleep. Oral appliances are an effective, comfortable and non-invasive first-line treatment for teeth grinding, jaw clenching and many sleep apnea and chronic snoring sufferers. They are similar to sports mouth guards and orthodontic appliances, but are only worn while you sleep. An oral appliance for grinding and clenching positions your mandible in a way that puts your jaw joint and supporting musculature in balance and protects the teeth.
Chronic Snoring
An anti-snoring appliance works to hold the lower jaw slightly forward, sufficient to maintain an open airway and stop the tongue and muscles in the upper airway from collapsing and blocking the airway.
Patients prefer oral appliance therapy because it is:
• Comfortable to wear while you sleep
• Quiet while you sleep
• Portable and light-weight to travel with
• Simple to clean and maintain
If you are suffering from any of these problems, schedule a complimentary consultation at Glazer Dental. We will work with you to find the best solution for your personal situation.