Sometimes you wake up feeling less than your best. Any number of different things can disrupt your sleep on a given night, but if you’re dealing with chronic issues when you wake up in the morning, you could be suffering from a condition. If you find yourself waking up with a headache most mornings, it could be an issue related to your teeth. Bruxism and TMJ are two conditions that affect you while you sleep. They can cause you to grind your teeth at night, and to experience inflammation in the joints of your jaw. If you’re suffering from one of these conditions, your dentist can diagnose the condition and treat it.
Bruxism Wears Down Teeth and Causes Pain
Do you grind your teeth? Almost everyone does in some cases. Teeth grinding is a natural reaction to stress or discomfort. Individual instances of teeth grinding aren’t a huge problem. However, if you’re chronically grinding your teeth, it can be harmful to the structure of your teeth. It can cause their outer layer of enamel to wear down, which can compromise the long-term viability of your teeth. It can also cause you to wake up with headaches or pain in your jaw in the morning. Bruxism is an unconscious form of teeth grinding that happens as you sleep. For that reason, it can be tough to diagnose on your own.
Inflamed Joints Caused by TMJ Disorder Stress Your Jaw
TMJ is short-hand for temporomandibular joint. This refers to the two joints on either side of your jaw. If you are experiencing TMJ Disorder, your jaws may be inhibited from biting comfortably. This can lead to chronic jaw pain and headaches. TMJ Disorder can be caused by Bruxism or compounded by another condition. It’s a long-term issue that you need to resolve before your symptoms will start to clear up. The good news is, you can treat both conditions by talking to your dentist.
Your Dentist Can Treat Jaw Pain
You may be surprised to learn that your dentist can help you treat these problems. In fact, the solution may be much simpler than you realize. Your dentist can typically fabricate a custom-designed oral appliance for you. You’ll simply wear the oral appliance at night while you sleep, and it will prevent you from grinding your teeth while also keeping your bite in alignment. This can help you get the vital rest you need during the night. If you need to repair damage done by teeth grinding, your dentist can also provide you with a restoration to rebuild your tooth or teeth.
Find Comprehensive Care at Elm Creek Dental
Conditions like Bruxism and TMJ Disorders can cause disruptions to your sleep and premature wear for your teeth. You can treat these conditions by diagnosing them at your dentist’s office. At Elm Creek, we are happy to diagnose any oral pain that you’re experiencing and treat the condition. Schedule your next appointment at Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN by calling 763-416-0606.