Once you are asleep, there is only so much you can do as far as exercising self-control is concerned. Sleep is similar to a state of semi consciousness which means that one is not in control. One of the conditions associated with sleep is Bruxism. This is a condition where an individual ends up grinding teeth at night. The affected individual grinds their teeth at night and this may actually have adverse side effects in the long run. To come up with ways of dealing with this problem and providing a solution, we need to understand the reason behind the grinding teeth phenomenon.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Some of the people who grind their teeth at night do so due to anxiety. They could be going through a stressful time in their lives and this ends up impacting their sleep quality. In some cases, other sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea may contribute to teeth grinding at night. Individuals who drink heavily or abuse drugs such as heroin and cocaine are also vulnerable to this teeth grinding condition. Despite the different causes responsible, the fact that this mainly happens when one is asleep makes it a tricky condition to manage and treat.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Teeth Grinding?
The most visible sign of grinding is teeth that are worn out. Affected individuals may also complain about teeth pain or sensitivity which arises as a result of constantly grinding their teeth. One may also end up feeling some pain around the jaw area since the muscles responsible for controlling the jaw get strained and overused at night. Those who happen to have sleeping partners may be told they are noisy sleepers due to the sound of grinding teeth. There are some people who have been known to experience headaches or even migraines as a result of the teeth grinding.
Teeth Clenching
Teeth clenching at night also has a detrimental effect on the teeth. One may end up losing their teeth because the grinding and clenching motion loosens them up. It may also lead to the fracturing of teeth while some of them actually end up breaking; simply due to the added force and pressure exerted through clenching and grinding. People who take antidepressants may also be susceptible to teeth clenching at night. These are just some of the side effects that are associated with these medications. With all these dangers associated with the teeth grinding and clenching at night, it is essential to come up with a way of controlling the situation and minimizing damage.
Solutions for Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Aside from stress reduction, one of the best ways this condition can be controlled is through the use of night guards. This is a custom fitted appliance placed in the mouth and it prevents the teeth from grinding against each other. The night guards act like a cushion or buffer and offer a good long-term solution. They are available through your dental professional. Considering what you would spend on dental treatment if your teeth were fractured, worn down too far or needed to be replaced, a dental night guard is the best cost effective solution.
Are Night Guards Covered by Dental Insurance?
Yes, typically night guards are covered by most dental insurance plans because of their preventative nature. We can send an estimate to your insurance company to determine if the night guard is a benefit of your coverage.
To help retain your smile and wake up each morning without teeth or jaw pain, contact our team at Winston Churchill Dental today to get fitted for your own custom night guard.