Do you wake up in the morning with a sore, achy jaw? Can you feel your jawline pop when you open your mouth wide? If so, you are possibly experiencing bruxism, which is the involuntary grinding and clenching of your night while you sleep. Sometimes caused by stress or even sleep apnea, bruxism can unfortunately cause more than just a sore jaw in the morning.
If left untreated or unnoticed, your bruxism can cause a steep decline in your oral health. To get to the bottom of your bruxism and ensure your oral health remains in good standing, it’s important you schedule a consultation and examination with an oral health surgeon as soon as possible. The team at Union City Oral Surgery Group is here to help guide our patients toward a healthier and happier future.
What Are the Side Effects of Bruxism?
In addition to the general discomfort that clenching and grinding your teeth can cause your facial muscles and jawline, bruxism can also have negative effects on your teeth and overall oral health. As time goes on, the outer layers of the teeth can begin to experience wear and tear, causing cracking and room for infection or gum disease. It can even loosen your teeth to the point that they fall out.
The constant contraction of the muscles in the face can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which occurs when these joints have been injured. Often, the side effects of bruxism are not noticed until they have become a real problem, as the majority of the clenching and grinding may be happening during sleep. Bruxism during the day is much easier to catch and treat. If you find yourself clenching or locking your jaw during the day, there is a chance you are also doing it at night, meaning you should schedule a consultation with your oral surgeon.
How an Oral Surgeon Can Help
Your oral surgeon can help diagnose your bruxism, treat the side effects it may have caused, and work on prevention techniques for the future. Bruxism is not necessarily a curable condition, though many people are able to work through and stop the side effects.
When your doctor diagnoses you with bruxism, they will first begin by addressing the wear and tear. If it has led to gum disease or the loss of significant enamel, those complications will be professionally handled through cleanings and procedures.
To prevent bruxism from causing any more damage to your teeth or face, your oral surgeon may recommend the following:
- Implementing a consistent sleep schedule
- Limiting caffeine before going to bed
- A fitted mouth guard for sleeping
- Professional jaw exercise and/or massage
- Muscle relaxants
- Botox
Your specific course of treatment will vary based on the severity of your bruxism and how often it occurs.
Consult With a Qualified Oral Surgeon About How Bruxism is Affecting Your Oral Health Today
Be proactive and set an appointment with a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon today. For decades, Union City Oral Surgery Group has helped our local community with all of their oral health needs, ranging from periodontitis to bruxism treatments. We are proud to offer a state-of-the-art facility with the latest technology and surgical techniques available. If you need a surgical procedure done, our minimally-invasive procedures will leave you with significantly less pain and shorter recovery times.
To see how we can best help you restore your oral health today, please give one of our team members a call at (201) 601-9262 or fill out an online contact form.
