See the dentist and sleep better!
May 19, 2011If your jaw clicks, pops, or feels sore, or your teeth are wearing down,
it may be a symptom of teeth grinding, officially known as bruxism. Bruxism
is a subconscious neuromuscular activity. It often goes on without
your being aware of it; experts estimate that only 5 percent of people
who grind their teeth or clench their jaws know they do it until a sleep
partner notices the telltale sound or a dentist detects wear on the teeth.
Jaw clenching is another form of bruxism, except you clench your teeth tightly
together rather than moving them from side to side. Jaw clenching can be harder
to detect than grinding, but one sign is waking with pain or stiffness in the neck.
How does it interrupt sleep? Bruxism involves tensing of the jaw muscles,
so it interferes with the relaxation necessary for deep sleep. And if
you’re fully grinding, your body is engaged in movement rather than resting.
What to do? See a dentist! If you don’t have one, we are accepting new patients!
A dentist can look for underlying causes, such as problems with your bite
alignment, and can prescribe a mouth-guard-type device such as a dental splint.
If jaw clenching is your primary issue, there are specific dental devices for that.
Experts also suggest giving up gum chewing during the day, because the
habitual chewing action can continue at night. Some people who grind their
teeth have experienced relief from botox injections to the jaw muscle.
Others have had success using a new biofeedback device called Grindcare, approved by the FDA in 2010.
Call us for a better night’s sleep!
