Instead of waking refreshed and ready-to-go every morning, do you find yourself being greeted instead by a dull headache or sore jaw? Are your teeth starting to show evidence of wear? If so, you could be suffering from nighttime tooth grinding, also known as bruxism. It’s a common condition that, left untreated, can have serious consequences. Thankfully, nighttime mouthguards provide a good solution — but is an over-the-counter one good enough? Keep reading to find out about your Moore mouthguard from Dr. Bobby Carmen.
Moore Mouthguards: Custom Fit or Over-the-counter?
December 9, 2015
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Escape the Daily Grind with Bruxism Treatment from Dr. Carmen in Norman, OK
February 28, 2014
The unconscious act of clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth is called bruxism and it can have a number of detrimental effects on your mouth and in your daily life. At the Norman, OK office of Dr. Bobby J. Carmen, we offer customized oral appliances that help keep your teeth and jaw muscles safe from bruxism so you can sleep comfortably and get the rest you deserve.
Causes and Treatment
Though most people with bruxism clench their jaws and grind their teeth at night while they’re asleep, some tend to find themselves engaging in this subconscious behavior during the day as well. The cause of this behavior is generally stress, anxiety or frustration. At night, the constant movements and pressure applied to the teeth and muscles can lead to unnecessary wear and tear, often leading to temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ.
Fortunately, treatment for bruxism is typically relatively simple and affordable for the majority of patients. First, Dr. Carmen will assess your teeth, your bite and the muscles of your jaw. A mouthguard will be custom-fitted to your mouth and you’ll be instructed to wear it at night to prevent further damage to your teeth. The mouthguard serves as a buffer while you sleep, preventing the grinding of tooth surfaces against one another. Patients who start wearing a mouthguard regularly tend to find that they feel noticeably better in the mornings after just a few days of using the device.
Rest Easy with a Mouthguard for Bruxism
If you think that you may be suffering from bruxism and you’re tired of all of its side effects, contact our Norman, OK office today to find out how simple it can be to rid yourself of nighttime teeth grinding. We happily serve patients throughout the surrounding areas of Moore, Central Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma and beyond.
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Is Bruxism Keeping You From Smiling?
April 30, 2012
Do you struggle with frequent headaches, earaches, or jaw pain? Do you sometimes catch yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth after a stressful day?
Teeth grinding or clenching is known as bruxism and is a natural reaction to stress. But as natural as it might be, the constant pressure and motion of bruxism can seriously harm your smile, causing surface wear and eventually serious dental trouble. What’s more, untreated bruxism can also lead to TMJ dysfunction, insomnia, eating disorders, and depression. Which is why, at Dr. Carmen’s Norman dental office, we can help you treat bruxism with a nightguard.
What Is a Nightguard?
A nightguard is an oral appliance you wear while you sleep, when unconscious teeth grinding is most common. They are designed to stop teeth from grinding and clenching, and can be custom-made to fit your exact needs. There is more than one type of nightguard, and if one doesn’t work, we can help you find another that might.
In addition to creating a custom-made nightguard for you, Dr. Carmen can also recommend relaxation techniques that will help you manage and alleviate stress, although, for many patients, a nightguard is all it takes to erase symptoms of bruxism.
Let Dr. Carmen Help You Smile Again
If you live in Norman, Moore, Central Oklahoma, or near The University of Oklahoma, Dr. Carmen can help you treat bruxism. Give us a call today if you’d like to schedule an appointment with us. We look forward to seeing you!
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Beat Bruxism and the Daily Grind with a Nightguard from Dr. Carmen
May 2, 2011
We know how stressful life can be. With rush-hour traffic, deadlines at work, bills to pay—it’s enough to leave you grinding your teeth.
But all the pressure and motion can wreak havoc on your smile, damaging your teeth and leaving you with a sore jaw, headaches, or earaches. What’s worse, many who respond to stress by grinding their teeth do it while they’re asleep, leaving them unable to consciously stop.
This painful condition, known as bruxism, can only get worse is left untreated. Worn out jaw muscles and a bite left changed by worn down teeth can contributes to symptoms of TMJ dysfunction. Insomnia, depression, and eating disorders can even become a problem. All of which means, if you think the daily grind is getting to you, it’s time to see Dr. Carmen. With a nightguard from our Norman office you can finally rest easy!
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