Do you often wake up with a headache or a sore, throbbing jaw? For many men and women, this is a common occurrence. The act of excessively clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth during sleep is called bruxism and, when left untreated, can result in damage to the teeth and jaw.
What Causes Bruxism?
Most individuals who suffer from sleep bruxism are unaware of their condition. Typically, a partner, roommate or sibling is the first to notice the tell-tale gnashing sound while the affected person is asleep. In extreme cases, teeth may even crack or break free of the gum over time due to the immense pressure involved.
Causes of bruxism range from psychological stress and sleep disorders to certain medications and daytime consumption of caffeine. Approximately 86 percent of bruxism instances throughout the night occur during periods of light sleep.
There is evidence that people who smoke, consume medications containing amphetamine or have sleep apnea are more likely suffer from bruxism. All of these things are known to disrupt sleep patterns.
Treatment of Sleep Bruxism
Dr. Papageorgiou and her team have extensive experience in the management of this condition. We offer simple, effective treatments for bruxism that fit your lifestyle.
If your bruxism has caused damage to the teeth or bones of the jaw, reconstruction may be needed to restore the beauty and function of your smile. Dr. Papageorgiou may prescribe an occlusal splint, or dental guard, that you wear at night to prevent further grinding. Most patients report almost immediate relief with this method of treatment.
Contact your local Natik dentist today to find out how our caring, experienced team can help you manage your bruxism with a nighttime mouth guard, custom-fit to your teeth. We also happily serve patients from Wayland, Wellesley, Framingham, Ashland, Weston, Sherborn and the surrounding areas.