Did you know chronic teeth grinding (Bruxism) affects 8% of adults and 50% of kids? Or that millions suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)? Many people who suffer from Bruxism or TMJ spend their entire life never knowing about their condition or what is causing their chronic headaches and jaw pain. Why do you ask? Because both can occur subconsciously! Bruxism mostly occurs at night while you sleep and TMJ can flare up when you are asleep or awake and are experiencing jaw clenching or bruxism.
A great solution for relieving TMJ or Bruxism is to invest in a nightguard. Since Bruxism can cause TMJ flare ups, wearing a nightguard while you are sleeping will not only protect your teeth but will prevent you from aggravating your TMJ.
But how do you know you have Bruxism or TMJ and need a nightguard? Below we’ve listed a few signs to help you figure it out!
- You wake up with jaw pain and facial soreness.
Grinding teeth adds stress to your jaw muscles. When you wake up you may experience facial stiffness and pain when opening your mouth or chewing.
- You experience clicking or popping in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- You experience earaches, ringing in your ears.
Teeth griding can cause severe earaches that can plug one or both your ears.
- You wake up with a headache
If you wake up with headaches frequently, it may be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night.
- Your teeth are overly sensitive
- You notice tongue indentation
- You notice damage on the inside of the cheek
- You experience sleep disruption
- Your teeth grinding is loud enough to wake up your partner
- You have visible signs of tooth wear
Teeth grinding will eventually wear down your tooth enamel and expose your teeth to sensitivity. If you notice your front teeth look shorter, your teeth have cracks in them, your molars look flat on top, visit your dentist to examine your teeth closely and determine your treatment options.
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only.
Keep your nightguard clean and fresh with Ola Fresh Dental Appliance Cleanser. Soak daily to keep it in excellent condition and to prevent bacteria from settling. Learn more about how to clean your nightguard here. (Link to Quick Guide).