You Might Need a Dental Mouth Guard If…

Did you know, it’s possible that you grind your teeth at night even if you don’t realize it! The medical term for teeth grinding is Bruxism. If you wake up with a sore jaw, have rhythmic contractions of the jaw muscles, or if your spouse hears you make scraping noises in the middle of the night, you might have bruxism. If you experience one of the following, it may be time to visit us to talk about a dental mouth guard for teeth grinding.

You Chip a Tooth

You know your teeth grinding has become a serious problem when you chip a tooth. If this does happen to you, come see us right away. The chipped tooth will require repair and refraining from doing so can cause cavities. While you’re at our office, make sure to ask us about a dental mouthguard. It’s important you get one as soon as possible so you don’t chip another tooth!

You Wake Up With a Headache

If you wake up with a headache every morning, teeth grinding could be the culprit. A dental mouthguard won’t stop you from grinding altogether, but it may help. Come in and talk to us about what options are available to you. MedlinePlus suggests relaxation exercises to help you calm down at night so that you’ll be less likely to grind.

You Have Temporomandibular Disorder

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) occurs when the muscles around the jaw become inflamed, which sometimes happens as the result of clenching the teeth together and grinding against the teeth. Some common symptoms of TMD are difficulties opening your mouth wide and your jaw getting stuck in the open- or closed-mouth position. If we diagnose you with this disorder, ask about a dental mouth guard. It will prevent your teeth from clenching and grinding, thus reducing some of the pain associated with TMD.

You Take Antidepressants

If you regularly take antidepressants, talk to us about a dental mouth guard. A study published in a 2012 issue of Clinics found that paroxetine, the main ingredient in some antidepressants, can cause nighttime teeth grinding. If you take certain medicines, such as Paxil, you may need to protect your teeth against those side effects. You can also talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage or switching to another antidepressant if grinding becomes a problem.

Don’t put up with teeth grinding any longer! Make an appointment with us so we can discuss dental mouthguards and bruxism.
 
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/temporomandibular-disorders-tmd#1
http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/bruxism/article/mouth-guard-for-teeth-grinding-five-signs-you-need-one-0214