You had a good night’s sleep, but for some reason every time you wake up your jaw hurts. You can’t seem to figure out what’s causing the problem. Is it the way you’ve been sleeping? Perhaps it’s the way you’ve been chewing your food? You visit your dentist for your regular check-up and are surprised when they suggest you’ve been grinding your teeth in your sleep. This is known as bruxism.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, bruxism affects about 8 percent of adults. When you grind your teeth you break down your enamel. Enamel cannot be replaced making you susceptible to a number of oral damages. The photo on the right displays the teeth of a person who grinds. To protect your teeth from damage, your dentist may suggest a night guard. Here are 6 signs that you may need a night guard.
1. Jaw pain when waking up
Though we already mentioned it, this symptom is the most common symptom people with bruxism have. Individuals with bruxism tend to grind their teeth throughout the night causing them to feel jaw pain in the morning. Night guards do not stop the act of grinding itself, but it does protect teeth from the damage it causes.
2. Stress
Stress itself doesn’t lead to teeth grinding, but individuals who have bruxism tend to grind their teeth unconsciously when under stress.
3. You Take Anti-Depressants.
Paroxetine is the main ingredient in some antidepressants. In 2012 a study published in Clinics found that the ingredient can cause night time teeth grinding.
4. You Wake Up with a Headache
Nightly grinding can also lead to morning headaches.
5. Chipped Teeth
Over time teeth grinding breaks down enamel which cannot be replaced. Though not all chipped teeth are caused by bruxism, a chipped tooth may be a sign of enamel becoming thinner due to nightly tooth grinding.
6. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
This disorder occurs when the muscles around the jaw become inflamed, which sometimes happens from teeth grinding and clenching. A mouth guard can reduce some of the pain associated with this disorder.
Bruxism isn’t a dangerous disorder, but it can cause long term damage that can be prevented with a night guard. While a night guard won’t stop the actual clenching of your jaw, it can minimize the damage and negative effects it has on your teeth.
If you’re looking for a Dentist in Northridge CA, Perfect Smiles will give you exceptional dentistry for a comfortable and safe experience. We offer custom mouth guards that are created just for you. Click here to read more about the process or call 818-831-3365 to request an appointment.