Is Teeth Grinding Keeping Your Partner Awake?

You may need to make an appointment with your dentist to talk about getting a night guard if you experience any of the following;

• Your significant other can hear you grinding your teeth while you sleep, or you wake yourself up with your grinding. It’s been described as a squeaking noise almost like tree branches rubbing together.
• You wake up with a sore jaw, face or severe headache often.
• You chip a tooth with no obvious cause for the injury.
• You find eating or chewing hard foods difficult or painful. Cold or hot foods may also be difficult to handle.
• You are not feeling rested when you wake up in the morning.

Time To Visit Your Dentist

Your dentist can look for signs that you’ve been grinding your teeth. They may ask you a series of questions about your sleep patterns, what you’ve noticed with your teeth and facial/jaw pain levels and whether you’ve been able to eat normally. They may also take x-rays and examine your teeth for signs of injury or problems with the way that your teeth fit together. Your dentist will help you figure out a plan to help you feel your best.

A Mouth Guard May Be Just What You Need

Your dentist may recommend that you use a mouth guard to help prevent injury or pain. A mouth guard is worn over either your top or bottom teeth at night to prevent you from grinding your teeth while you sleep. If your dentist recommends that you get a mouth guard you have options. You can buy a readymade one at a pharmacy or department store or your dentist can make you a custom built one. A readymade mouth guard will be less expensive, but may not fit as well or be as effective or comfortable as one that your dentist can have made for you. Your dentist will make impressions of your teeth and have a mouth guard made that fits your mouth.