Multiple oral appliance options address and may prevent the damage that can be caused by teeth grinding. The most common option is to wear a mouthguard when you are asleep. Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, can be a sign that you have sleep apnea. Your North Muskegon, MI dentists, Dr. Monica Lakatos and Dr. Michelle Matheson, will help to evaluate your teeth and mouth and can guide you in choosing the best oral appliance to address teeth grinding.
If teeth grinding is caught early and addressed, you may be able to correct it before it leads to a more serious problem. It is very important to discuss this symptom with your dentist if you think that you may be grinding your teeth when asleep. Some signs that may indicate that you are grinding your teeth while sleeping may be:
- Waking up with jaw or facial pain
- Worn-down teeth
- Headaches and/or migraines
- Gingivitis or a receding gum line
- A different feeling when you bite down
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
- Chipped teeth
- Disrupted sleep patterns
Teeth grinding may be a sign of a more serious problem. Because of this, it is vital to schedule consistent dental check-ups. By regularly evaluating the health of your teeth and mouth, your North Muskegon, MI dentist may suggest sleep apnea treatment based on this examination.
Oral Appliance Option to Protect Your Mouth from the Effects of Teeth Grinding
Severe complications related to teeth grinding may warrant the recommendation of your dentist to make a custom mouthguard for you. A custom mouthguard will involve your dentist making a mold of your teeth and using this to then fabricate a mouthguard that will be an exact fit for your mouth.
A dental splint that is to be worn during sleep called an occlusal splint, may be suggested for the most significant cases of teeth grinding. This oral appliance encourages relaxation of the jaw muscles and repositions it by shifting the jaw slightly forward. This aims to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding. Protect your teeth from grinding and avoid sleep apnea in North Muskegon, MI by contacting the office of Dr. Lakatos and Dr. Matheson of Northshore Dental Associates at (231) 744-6099.
