Nighttime Teeth Grinding & Clenching

Most people who suffer from bruxism (the clenching and/or grinding of teeth while sleeping) don’t even know that they suffer from it. Bruxism can be the result of a sleep disorder or stress during the day. No matter the reason why you suffer from bruxism, there’s no question that it can do quite a bit of damage. Not only can it cause damage to the teeth, but it’s also been known to damage the jaw and affect the way your teeth fit together.

Symptoms Of Bruxism

While each case of bruxism will be different and vary in severity, there are a few symptoms that you should look out for. These include:

• Recurring headaches, especially when waking up in the morning
• Toothaches with no apparent cause
• Clicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw
• Unexplained earaches
• Gum recession
• Loosening teeth

Treating Bruxism

There’s no cure for bruxism, but it can be treated. First of all, it’s important that you evaluate your stress levels, which can help with the frequency and severity of the symptoms. Next, you should consider having a custom night guard made. These are accessories you wear over your top teeth that will prevent the jaws from grinding or clenching against one another. Night guards help with the symptoms of bruxism and prevent any further damage from being done.

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of bruxism, it’s important to make an appointment with your regular dentist to determine if a night guard is right for you. Although we only deal with root canal therapy here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, we are concerned for your overall oral health. To make an appointment here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado for root canal treatment, please contact one of our three locations. We have offices in Colorado Springs North, Colorado Springs South & Pueblo, Colorado.