If you are one of the millions of people who grind their teeth at night, you may have questions about why you do it and what can be done about it. Some of the tell tale signs of teeth grinding is waking up with clenched teeth, a sore jaw and probably a headache. Medically, the term for teeth grinding is called “bruxism” and it is estimated that 1 in 10 Americans will suffer from this condition.
Though you can often stop teeth grinding by finding the cause of the condition, every night that you are grinding could be causing irreversible damage to your teeth. Typically the first step when attempting to treat bruxism is to be fitted for a mouth guard, but that doesn’t work for everyone. If more aggressive treatment is needed, things like a biofeedback headband can be used.
In order to help you understand bruxism and how you may go about treatment, it is recommended that you refer to the following FAQ:
Common Questions About Bruxism
Because so many people are not quite sure what bruxism is, there are obviously questions about this condition. People certainly want to know what the condition is and also why they are suffering from this condition. There are also some risk factors that are involved with bruxism and several types of treatments that may be available. From attempting to focus on a reason for this condition to understanding what type of damage is being done to your teeth and jaw, knowing more about bruxism will help you work with your dentist to find the right solution for you.
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Common Questions About Curing Bruxism
Can bruxism be cured? Yes, it can, but in order to cure this condition, you will need to get to the source of the problem and this is often easier said, than done. However, you will find that in the mean time, a mouth guard can be a great option for many people as this will stop your teeth from moving against each other. Though a mouth guard won’t work for everyone, it can at least give you and your dentist more time to figure out the root cause of your bruxism and make a plan that is focused on treatment.
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Common Questions About Mouth Guards
Because mouth guards are usually the first solution attempted to stop bruxism, there are certainly a lot of questions that people have about these devices. Essentially, a mouth guard will fit over your teeth and protect them from grinding, but a common misconception is that they will cure your bruxism. This isn’t true. Think of a mouth guard as a type of bandage for your teeth. You put a bandage on a cut in order to protect it from bacteria and from getting worse. This is exactly what a mouth guard will do for your mouth…help to protect your teeth and stop the damage that is being caused. You will still need to work with your dentist to determine the exact cause of your bruxism in order to cure the condition.
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Common Questions About Biofeedback Headbands
In addition to a mouth guard, there are other treatments that are used in order to stop bruxism in its path. One of these methods is known as a biofeedback headband. Many people are not as familiar with a biofeedback headband as they may be with a mouth guard, so it is common for people to have questions about these devices. Essentially this headband works by sensing grinding and sending a message, like a sound, to the wearer. This is a treatment that will take a bit of time to get used to, but many people have found great success with this solution.
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Common Questions About NTI Night Guards
It has been found that one of the things that happen when people grind their teeth is a clenching of the jaw, caused by muscle tensing. Because this is known, a new type of night guard has been introduced onto the market. This new mouth guard, known as an NTI night guard, is placed over the two front teeth and helps to relax those muscles that are involved in the process of tooth grinding. Like a typical mouth guard, the NTI night guard may not work for everyone, but in many cases, this can be a valid method of treatment.
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Common Questions About Mouth Guards and Dental Insurance
Many people wonder if their mouth guards will be covered by dental insurance. In most cases, tooth grinding is considered a pre-existing condition and is not covered by most dental insurance plans. However, there are certainly ways that sufferers of bruxism can get assistance for this condition as well as assistance to help pay for treatment of the damage caused by bruxism. Though your mouth guard might not be covered by insurance, the cause of your bruxism may be. This is why it is so important to see a dentist as soon as possible.
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Common Questions About TMJ
You may have heard of the condition known as TMJ and know that it may be associated with grinding teeth. What you are referring to is actually known as TMD, or temporomandibular disorder. TMJ is actually the temporomandibular joint, the joint which becomes inflamed causing TMD. Most people will refer to this condition as TMJ, however, so for simplicity, it will be referred to that here, as well. Bruxism is actually a contributing factor to TMJ and if bruxism is allowed to go on for too long, it can easily turn into TMJ. There are, however, other causes, so if you suspect TMJ, it is important to see your dentist quickly in order to find out what may be causing the condition and what you can do in order to fix it.
If you suffer from bruxism or suspect TMJ, it is very important that you stop the damage as soon as possible. Every night that goes by, you could be loosening your teeth, damaging the surface of your teeth and causing unnecessary inflammation in your jaw. The consequences of bruxism and TMJ can be serious, so it is best that you seek out treatment as soon as possible.
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It fits loosely, can one accidentally swallow or chock on the mouth piece while asleep?