If you wake up with a headache more mornings than you don’t, then there could be a variety of possible reasons why. If those headaches are accompanied by sore teeth, aching jaw muscles, and more, then it’s most likely because of a dental health issue, such as bruxism. At our El Paso, TX, dental office, we offer customized treatment for bruxism – or chronic teeth-grinding – that can help you alleviate its many different symptoms. A custom bruxism appliance can also help you avoid the need for more extensive treatment to address severe tooth damage down the road.
What bruxism actually means
Technically, bruxism is the constant and often unconscious grinding of your teeth. This means that if you notice yourself grinding your teeth every once in a while, it might not necessarily mean you have a condition. On the contrary, bruxism occurs frequently and, in many cases, it happens most often at night while you sleep. It can result from a wide variety of issues, from an uneven bite (i.e., crooked teeth), excessive stress, trauma or injury to your jaw joints (TMJs), and more.
Signs you should be wary of
To determine for sure if you have bruxism, you’ll need a professional dental exam and diagnosis to pinpoint the nature and extent of your condition. However, you can gauge your likeliness of having it by watching out for telltale signs, such as:
- Increasingly sensitive teeth – As you consistently grind your teeth together, you can wear down the enamel that surrounds and protects their main surfaces. This leaves your teeth more vulnerable to irritation caused by hot and cold beverages, and the sensitivity will grow worse the more you continue grinding your teeth.
- A difference in how your teeth meet each other – Teeth-grinding doesn’t just make your teeth ache, it can also wear down their chewing surfaces enough to change how your bite feels. Your upper and lower teeth may not meet each other squarely when you bite down anymore, which can stress out your jaw joints and exacerbate your bruxism.
- Headaches, jaw pain, and more – The stress from bruxism and the damage it can cause your teeth and jaw joints can lead to a host of other symptoms when not addressed promptly. For instance, after grinding your teeth all night, you may also experience chronic headaches and migraines, soreness in your facial and jaw muscles, and more, especially when you first wake up in the morning.
Find treatment for your bruxism
If you notice signs that you’re grinding your teeth too much, then you should seek treatment for your bruxism as soon as possible. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We also have offices in Chaparral, Canutillo, and Vinton so we can easily serve patients throughout all surrounding communities.