Dental Night Guards for TMJ Treatment in Rockville
Do you wake up in the morning with sore jaws, sensitive teeth, or headaches? Do your teeth look flat or too square? Has your spouse told you that you were making strange noises with your teeth in the middle of the night?
These may be signs and symptoms of sleep bruxism, or grinding your teeth while you sleep.
That sounds like me! How can Gladnick Family and Cosmetic Dentistry help?
Grinding your teeth at night is very common, and many people don’t even know they’re doing it. Tons of patients only find out because their spouse hears them grinding their teeth in their sleep or a dentist identifies the signs of grinding during a dental exam. Some signs include flattened chewing surfaces, thinned enamel, and gum recession.
Bruxism can be just as damaging to teeth as cavities, and without early intervention and use of a night guard, more expensive and time-consuming treatments will be necessary to properly restore dental structure and function.
The causes of sleep bruxism aren’t completely understood, but research has indicated that interruptions in breathing (sleep apnea), stress, and the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are associated with bruxism. SSRIs are commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
Luckily, there is a very simple and effective treatment for this – night guards. Dental night guards are custom-fitted plastic mouth guards that are made to fit your teeth. They provide a layer of protection between your teeth so that the force of your bite is distributed evenly to the night guard and not to your teeth.
I don’t think I grind my teeth while I sleep, but I do clench my teeth at work. What about a mouth guard for teeth clenching?
Whether it’s your job, your kids, your in-laws, or good ol’ Beltway traffic, we understand that there are numerous potential stressors in our daily lives. Daytime clenching and grinding is very common, and can result in many of the same symptoms as nighttime grinding.
The good news is that there are also comfortable daytime appliances patients can wear that both protect the teeth and act as habit reminders. These keep the teeth safe from destructive pressure and help keep patients aware of the clenching and grinding habit.
We only get one set of permanent teeth, and in today’s stressful world there are any number of things that can cause us to develop habits detrimental to our dental health. Not only are our teeth at risk, but headaches and jaw pain can be continual frustrations that take the joy out of eating.
If you think you might be grinding your teeth at night or you have experienced any of the symptoms discussed above, call (301) 963-0800 to schedule an evaluation in Rockville, MD. Our dental office is located in the Shady Grove neighborhood of Rockville near North Potomac.
Why Consider a Night Guard?
Teeth grinding, or sleep bruxism, is very common during sleep. It can wear down teeth, thin your enamel, and cause gum recession. Here are the benefits of using a custom-fitted night guard when you sleep:
Prevents Damage
Night guards keep your teeth from grinding, preventing the damage it causes.
Reduces Jaw Pain
Grinding can lead to sore jaws. Night guards help relax the jaw, leading to less pain.
Improves Sleep
Minimizing grinding and clenching with a night guard leads to more restful sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJ mouth guards in Rockville, MD, also called night guards, can help with TMJ and bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).
TMJ is a disorder of the jaw joints, often characterized by neck, head, and shoulder pain. You may also notice a clicking sound in the joints when you yawn or open your mouth too wide. TMJ is sometimes caused by bruxism.
How Mouth Guards Help with TMJ
In bruxism, a night guard helps by gently keeping the upper and lower jaws apart during sleep. This promotes healing and helps train the jaws not to come together at night. Likewise, preventing bruxism can also promote healing in the jaw joints. Additionally, the gentle nightguard allows the TMJs to relax, which also lends to recovery.
So, a night guard for teeth grinding may help you. However, an evaluation with your dentist in Rockville, MD is always the first step. You’ll learn whether mouth guard therapy is right for you at this visit. We can also discuss costs and answer any questions you might have.
For TMJ Treatment, Contact Your Rockville Dentist
Our appliance therapy aims to help you sleep comfortably and enjoy a pain-free lifestyle. Call Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today to learn more or arrange your assessment with a Rockville dentist.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Thomas B. Gladnick
Dr. Thomas B. Gladnick, originally from Newark, Delaware, graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Biology and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Tommy spent ...
Dr. Elizabeth P. Gladnick
Dr. Elizabeth P. Gladnick was born and raised in Massachusetts. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Temple University in ...
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