Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you’re awake (awake bruxism) and/or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism).
Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing. In some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.
Do you wake up with headaches or jaw pain?
You might be suffering from bruxism.
Yes, Bruxism is Very Serious and it Can be Treated at Cirocco Dental Center
At Cirocco Dental Center, we can screen you for bruxism and if there is any indication of Sleep Disorded Breathing (SDB). We are proud to announce the NOX-T3 Monitor is available in our office. It is the only available unit in the dental profession for home sleep tests that will provide a diagnosis for bruxism.
The NOX-T3 Monitor home sleep test can provide Cirocco Dental Center a baseline for the grinding patterns happening in your teeth, in addition to signs of SDB.
It is easy to wear while you sleep so you don’t feel any discomfort. CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO SET-UP AT HOME before you go to bed.
Three Easy Steps
- During your visit at the Cirocco Dental Center, if we suspect that you might be showing signs of teeth grinding at night, we will introduce you to the NOX-T3 Monitor, a device which will accurately test for bruxism and SDB.
- We will review the results produced from the NOX-T3 grinding test with you, which will accurately determine if you do indeed have SDB.
- If SDB is present, we will either recommend a custom night guard or sleep appliance, based on your results.
For more severe cases, we will then refer you to a sleep physician, pulmonologist or your primary care physician to receive proper and appropriate treatment to restoring your health.
Why do I Need to be Screened for Bruxism?
All forms of bruxism require some form of treatment. Bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders (also know as TMJ or TMD), headaches, damaged teeth and other problems. In many cases, bruxism may be caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), also know as Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB).
The reason for this is that the body is suffocating for air, and when the brain is trying to fight for the airway to open in order for breathing to occur, the issue of bruxism starts.
This is why it is so important to be screened for bruxism.
Symptoms of Bruxism
Symptoms might include any of the following:
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose
- Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely
- Jaw, neck or face pain or soreness
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it’s actually not a problem with your ear
- Dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
Night Guards and Sleep Appliances Can Help You Feel Relief
After you have taken the NOX-T3 monitor home sleep test, Cirocco Dental Center will need to determine if there is grinding only without SDB, so that just a simple night guard or sleep appliance can be made.
The biggest reason for this is that if a night guard is made with underlying SDB, then it can make your airway issues and health issues worse!
Taking the home sleep test will provide the answers needed to get you the best possible solution to your pain and discomfort.
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