Bruxism is a problem that can cause you to grind, clench and gnash your teeth. If you are affected by this problem you may unconsciously clench your teeth during the day (awake bruxism) or clench and grind them in your sleep at nights (sleep bruxism).
Sleep bruxism is believed to be a sleep-related movement disorder and if you are affected by sleep bruxism you are likely to also have problems like sleep apnea.
Bruxism of the mild variety may not require any treatment. However, if it is causing frequent and severe jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth, and other problems you may develop other complications and may require to consult your dentist or doctor for a remedy for bruxism.
Some of the signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:
If you have any of the symptoms listed above should be contacting your doctor or dentist for an evaluation of your condition.
The medical fraternity is yet to understand the precise causes of bruxism but believe it could be a combination of physical, psychological, and genetic factors. Some of the risk factors associated with bruxism are stress, age, personality type, medications and other substances and other medical disorders.
Bruxism does not cause any complications in most cases but in severe cases, it can lead to damage to your teeth, restorations, crowns or jaw, severe facial or jaw pain and disorders in the temporomandibular joints.
During your dental exams, your dentist will also be checking for signs of bruxism. If any signs are observed your dentist will be looking for changes in your teeth and mouth to determine whether the process is progressive or any treatment needs to be offered. Your dentist will also be asking you questions about your general dental health, medications, sleep habits and to determine the cause of bruxism. The extent of the condition may be evaluated by looking for tenderness in your jaw muscles, dental abnormalities such as broken or damaged teeth, are the damage to your teeth and the underlying bone with the help of x-rays.
If your condition is severe and related to major sleep issues you may be referred to a sleep medicine specialist who may conduct more tests. He or she may be looking to determine whether you are also suffering from sleep apnea. If the condition affecting you is a reason for anxiety and other psychological issues you may be referred to a licensed therapist or counselor
If you visit the dentist for bruxism treatment in Kingwood you may be suggested ways to preserve or improve your teeth. These methods may prevent or correct the wear on your teeth but may not stop bruxism altogether. They may also offer you clear braces in Kingwood that are designed to keep your teeth separate to about the damage caused by clenching and grinding. If your case a severe you can contact the emergency dentist near me for dental correction if the tooth wear is preventing you from chewing properly. The dentist may reshape the chewing surfaces or decide to use crowns to repair the damage.
You can also adopt some lifestyle and home remedies that can help you to reduce stress by listening to music and getting involved in other types of relaxing activities. Avoiding stimulating substances like alcohol and coffee in the evening is also suggested as they can aggravate bruxism. You can schedule regular dental exams even for teeth whitening in Porter because these examinations are the best way to identify this problem. Dentists can spot signs of bruxism in your mouth and jaw during regular visits for dental examinations. As mentioned earlier your dentist may also offer you an oral appliance in the form of a custom-made mouthguard that is constructed from acrylic or soft materials and can fit over the upper or lower jaw as a remedy for bruxism.