Are you a nighttime tooth grinder? If so, it’s a condition we also call bruxism, and its side effects are serious. Many times, adults try to self-treat nighttime conditions like bruxism — and sleep apnea, which occurs when the soft tissues of the mouth block the airway — with over-the-counter solutions, like one-size-fits-all mouth trays, snoring prevention or boil and bite mouthguards. These can provide an acceptable solution for a short period of time, but if you’ve got a real problem, you need a real, professional solution. Read more to learn about professional mouthguards from your dentist in Norman.
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When to Ditch an Over-the-counter Mouthguard (and Why)
September 24, 2015
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Take the Pressure off Your Smile with a Nightguard
July 12, 2012
Day-to-day life is stressful, there’s no doubt about that. Demands at work, hectic commutes, and the rapid flow of life itself can all be enough to leave you feeling tense. That spells bad news for your health, but also for your smile.
It’s not uncommon to react to stress by clenching your teeth. In fact, it’s a pretty natural response. But no matter how natural it might be, it’s not healthy. Over time, clenching and grinding can harm your teeth and your jaw, causing painful symptoms and ruining your oral health.
So it might seem that the simplest way to treat this problem—which is called bruxism—is to just stop clenching and grinding your teeth. But unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
Many patients who struggle with bruxism don’t even know they’re struggling, because they grind and clench their teeth while they’re sleeping. That makes it difficult to just stop.
But using a comfortable, custom-made nightguard, it’s possible for Dr. Carmen to provide his Norman-area patients with the relief they’ve been looking for.
Nightguards work by preventing the clenching and grinding that can so easily damage your teeth and jaw muscles. To experience relief, all you have to do is slip it on before you go to bed. Then, you can rest comfortably through the night and wake up feeling better than you have in a long time.
Learn More Today
Are you ready to learn more about how you can stop bruxism with a nightguard? Call Dr. Carmen’s Norman dental office today to schedule an appointment with us. Our team happily serves patients from The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Moore, Central 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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