Do you and someone whom you share a bed with, have trouble sleeping through the whole night? This may be due to a problem known as bruxism, which can be a real issue for the sufferer and their companion and the solution to this could be a night guard.
Clenching and Grinding
If you suffer from bruxism, you may grind your teeth at night without knowing it. You will, subconsciously, bite down with a great deal of force for long periods, and often, your jaw will move back and forth as well. Your sleep partner may be disturbed due to the associated noise. You may find that you have a headache or a lingering pain in your neck, face, or jaw in the morning.
Dealing with Bruxism
Bruxism can affect people at any age and may be associated with periods of stress. Alcohol or caffeine may make it worse. While you can take certain steps to try and cut down on the problem, you may not be able to eliminate the issue altogether.
Still, you may limit your consumption of alcohol or caffeine, especially just before going to bed. Try some relaxation techniques or listen to gentle music before you retire for the night as well.
The Risk of Inaction
Bruxism can play havoc with your dentition over time. As you inadvertently grind your teeth together, this can lead to excessive wear and other issues such as TMJ. Temporomandibular joint syndrome affects the joints that connect your jaw to your head. The muscles may become inflamed, and this can lead to swelling, tenderness, or pain. You may have difficulty chewing during the next day too.
Custom-Fitted Night Guard
While you try to alleviate any stress to address the problem that way, talk with your dentist in Donvale about a night guard. They will be able to customise a guard to fit you perfectly, and you will be able to wear that each night when you retire. Wearing a night guard will help ease tension around your jaw and prevent the teeth from coming into contact with each other as you sleep.
It may take a day or two for you to get used to wearing a new guard, but it’s well worth the effort. You may sleep more soundly through the night, and your partner will indeed thank you for it. You will protect your teeth and lower the risk of developing more serious dental problems in the future.
No Time Like the Present
You don’t need to deal with any more sleepless nights, associated morning pain, or an angry partner. Get in touch with us at Holistic Dental Donvale now on 03 9842 6675 or visit our website for further details.
