Do You Grind & Clench Your Teeth at Night?

Do you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw and/or a headache? Have you noticed that your teeth are becoming worn down and/or more sensitive? Grinding or clenching your teeth during sleep can have some serious effects on your oral health. If you think you may be struggling with teeth grinding or clenching, then here are some questions you should be asking yourself:

“Is This Happening Regularly?”

It’s one thing if you noticed you were clenching your teeth during a particularly intense situation. It’s another thing if you are grinding and clenching your teeth as you sleep night after night. Over time, the accumulation of these forces can result in major problems. While periods of stress and anxiety (such as a deadline at work, conflict in your family, financial trouble, etc.) can cause teeth grinding, teeth grinding can also be associated with a misaligned bite, crooked teeth, or sleep apnea.

“Am I Protecting My Teeth?”

It can be difficult to stop yourself from grinding your teeth at night. After all, you’re not awake when it’s happening! Pinpoint the cause and take steps to mitigate it. We also recommend having the proper safeguards in place to protect your teeth when you do grind and clench. That means getting a custom-made nightguard to wear while you sleep so that your teeth don’t come into contact with each other and cause damage.

If you’d like to see a dental professional regarding your teeth grinding, then we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. We can determine whether you need a treatment like a nightguard or some sort of restorative dental work. We’re happy to answer any other questions that you might have about your oral health or our comprehensive services. Contact us today to set up your visit to our Hermitage dental office!

Categorised in: Preventive Dental Care