Bruxism: Not the Usual Grind
Sure, it's annoying when friends, spouses or children grind their teeth at night, but the effects could be much more serious than the loss of a good night's sleep on your part. This sleep disorder, called bruxism, can lead to a number of ailments, including loose or lost teeth. Even lighter grinding can wear down tooth enamel. Bruxism can also cause another condition called temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ). TMJ occurs when the
muscles, joints and ligaments of the jaw move out of alignment. Symptoms of TMJ include headache, earache and pain in the face, neck or shoulder.
"But," you ask, "don't we all grind our teeth once and a while?" It's true that a number of people grind their teeth during periods of stress, but chronic grinders - those that suffer from bruxism at least once a week - could eventually pay the price. Not only can it lead to the ailments already mentioned, but can result in daytime sleepiness and headaches as well.
Research has also discovered that people who brux are more likely to snore, suffer from breathing pauses during sleep and be victims of sleep apnea. As is the case in many sleeping problems, stress is a major cause. It's not unusual to clench or grind the teeth when angry or nervous. The use of tobacco, alcohol or caffeine tends to aggravate the problem. What's more, nobody is immune. All age groups and genders are susceptible
to bruxism, though most cases occur among those between the ages of 19 to 44.
There are a number of things you can do if you feel either you or somebody you love is suffering from bruxism. For starters, try to alleviate whatever stress in your life you can. Kick the tobacco habit and heavy drinking, and try not to drink too much coffee. Severe cases may need to be fitted with a mouth guard or have their teeth reshaped to eliminate unusual alignment.
For more information on ways to prevent bruxism please visit our website www.PreciousSmiles.com. For more information on other dental related issues like dental bonding, veneers, and dental implants to a complete spectrum of dental services, Dr. Isidoros Mereos offers Miami residents quality dental services ranging from cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, to implant dentistry and more.
Dr. Mereos is a great dentist in Miami and his patients say he is friendly and comforting and always happy to take the time to answer any questions.
Miami Beach dentist, Dr. Mereos, and the Precious Smiles team look forward to meeting with you and developing a plan tailored to meet your individual needs. “We take pride in helping our patients achieve the best results in the least amount of time possible.”
You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist by calling our friendly staff at (305) 532-9114 or by visiting http://www.precioussmiles.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Precious Smiles if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry, veneers, Invisalign, tooth whitening, or dental implants.
Precious Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry Center -Miami Beach
http://www.precioussmiles.com
Miami dentist, Miami Beach dentist
(305) 532-9114
1315 Alton Rd.
Miami Beach, Fl 33139
http://www.precioussmiles.com
Miami dentist, Miami Beach dentist
(305) 532-9114
1315 Alton Rd.
Miami Beach, Fl 33139
Dr. Mereos is a Miami dentist that serves, Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, North Miami Beach, and North Miami