Do you grind your teeth at night? Bruxism is the technical term for this condition, and a lot of people damage their teeth because they fail to take preventive measures against this habit. When you visit our office, we can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of damage and help you prevent injury caused by the grinding of teeth. At Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch, our highly qualified specialty dentistry team can equip you with a nightguard and fix your damaged teeth to restore functionality.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Most people don’t grind their teeth during the day, but there are many causes of nighttime teeth grinding. Your dentist can help you get to the root of the problem and give you strategies to stop this habit from damaging your teeth. Fortunately, you can eventually stop teeth grinding in your sleep.
Chances are, you aren’t aware of grinding your teeth during the night. However, it can cause you to wake up with a teeth grinding headache. Additionally, this habit may cause tightness of the jaw and pain around your ears and jawline.
Causes of bruxism include the following:
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Overstimulated brain
- Medications
- Poor sleeping habits
When you make an appointment with our dentist, we help you prevent further damage to the sensitive enamel on your teeth. Certain activities seem to correlate with teeth grinding. These lifestyle choices include recreational drugs, smoking, drinking, and high caffeine consumption. Therefore, cutting back on any of these habits might curtail your bruxism.
Ways to Stop Bruxism
By choosing a healthier lifestyle, you can improve your health and reduce teeth grinding at night. Once you realize that you have this problem, make an appointment to talk to one of our dental professionals. We can fit you for a nightguard and give you some advice on how to sleep more soundly and destress before you head to bed at night.
We start by determining whether you have a medical condition that contributes to the grinding of teeth. You may practice meditation or some other kind of relaxation technique to clear your mind and fall asleep stress-free. However, we often recommend wearing a nightguard while you work on a permanent solution to your bruxism.
What a Nightguard Can Do for You
There are different types of nightguards and the one that we recommend for you will depend on the severity of your grinding and the damage already done to your teeth. Most people find it easier to begin with a soft, flexible nightguard, while others require a harder material to withstand the heavy grinding without damage. Once you have the right guard, it will make a big difference in your long-term dental health. Your dentist will help you choose the right options for your situation.
When you receive your night guard, it’s important to wear it every night to prevent further damage. It often takes a few nights to get used to wearing the device, but soon you’ll find that you can pop it in and wear it comfortably throughout the night.
Find Comprehensive Dental Care at Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch
Whether you need dental care for teeth grinding or have other concerns about your oral health, keeping regular appointments at Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch may preserve your smile for a lifetime. Quality dental care can ease your mind regarding the condition of your teeth and may even help you sleep better at night.
In addition to bruxism treatment, Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch offers the following dental services:
To prevent bruxism and spare yourself teeth grinding headache, and jaw pain, contact us at 713-244-7799 for an appointment today.