stressed woman with grinding teeth, bruxism symptoms; portrait of stressful, exhausted, tired sleeping woman grinding teeth on bed; oral wellness, dental care medical conceptGetting up in the morning can be one of the biggest struggles for many people, especially if you have to get up early. What’s more, waking up feeling tired or even experiencing pain is nobody’s first choice, making the morning routine that much more tiresome. When you wake up with tooth or jaw pain, it can impact your entire day by causing side effects and other problems throughout. Fortunately, your Leawood, KS dentist at Dreem Dentistry can provide information on the cause of your nighttime teeth grinding and what it could mean for your oral health.

Daytime Side Effects

When you experience bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, what is happening is that you are unable to control when you grind your teeth or even how forcefully you do, which can lead way to a variety of concerns or dangers to your smile. Grinding can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, in which damage is done to one or both of your jaw’s joints, causing difficulties biting and chewing, chronic pain, and even a popping or clicking feeling. If this occurs, it is imperative you contact your Leawood dentist to find out what can be done to help you.

In addition to the chronic pain, you may also experience a myriad of daytime side effects. These can include hypersomnia, or daytime sleepiness, fatigue, morning headaches, and more. For more information, contact our office today.

It Might be Part of a Larger Problem

Chronic nighttime bruxism can cause severe damage to your smile, and it could actually be a warning sign of a bigger problem. Many factors can contribute to this phenomenon, including levels of anxiety among other things. When this occurs, you may experience a diminished bite function as your teeth become worn down, causing sensitivity and weakening. If this problem is not addressed, you may experience a higher possibility of infection as your smile becomes more vulnerable to decay and damage. In this stage, having a custom dental treatment to address your chronic bruxism is a must.

How a Custom Appliance Can Help

While you may be concerned about the damage that your smile is enduring from grinding, fortunately, not all hope is lost. When you are diagnosed with either bruxism, TMJ disorder, or both, your dentist will be able to work with you and create a plan to correct the issue. Depending on your stage and progression, most situations can benefit from a custom oral appliance created with highly precise dental technology. To learn more, contact our team today.

Learn More Today

Your smile is one of your greatest assets, and addressing chronic grinding and the damage it causes is in your best interest. Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS today by calling 913-681-5500 to learn more or schedule an appointment.