Many Americans struggle with their sleep. In fact, around 30% of us experience symptoms enough to require a diagnosis. Not only can these conditions lead to troubles with daily life, but they can also cause lasting damage to your circulatory system. Sleep apnea, for instance, can contribute to higher risk for heart attack and stroke.
Sometimes, these conditions relate to the structures of the head and the neck. Two out of the five most common problems in this category center around oral health. One of these is known as bruxism, and at our Fort Bliss, TX dental office, we specialize in its treatment. This refers to tooth grinding or the clenching of the jaw and it can lead to major concerns with the erosion of the enamel.
Apnea is the momentary pausing of breath overnight due to an obstructed airway. As you might imagine, this limits the available oxygen to the brain for periods and can contribute to numerous health concerns. If you struggle with these conditions, there may be a non-surgical approach to ensure that you have the best night’s sleep that you can!
Release The Tension From Your Jaw
One of the most common concerns in dental offices is from disorders of the jaw. The brain sometimes seeks an outlet for unconscious movement, and the jaw is a prime avenue for small tics and twitches. During the day, you may be able to control these urges by eating or chewing gum. At night, however, these motions can continue without any mental control. No matter how hard you try, your defenses are down overnight!
Bruxism can lead to tension in the neck and jaw and cause nagging headaches. If you find that your face is sore when you wake up, it could be due to your overnight activity. Scheduling an appointment with a trained bruxism health provider can help you to alleviate this stress. Overworked jaw structures often irritate the connection to the head, which contributes to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction that affect your ability to properly use your mouth.
Protect Your Enamel Overnight
Routine grinding inflicts damage on the tops of your teeth, causing dental erosion. This is the wear and loss of the enamel, which is the sturdy exterior that we brush and see. Enamel protects the vital living tissue deep within the tooth, and without its shield you are at risk of dangerous bacterial infection.
Problems of this sort are often painful and damaging to the future of your smile’s function. The most common solution for these scenarios lies in root canals, where the flesh within the tooth is removed and the connections to the jaw sealed.
A night guard can also help to serve as a soft barrier between your jaws. The custom fit is slimmer than other over-the-counter options, so it may be a less-intrusive way to alleviate your issue!
Contact Your Fort Bliss, TX Dentist About A Change
If you are having difficulties with your rest, it may be stemming from your jaw! Give us a call at Fort Bliss Family Dentistry in El Paso, TX today at (915)895-3678 to schedule an appointment. A night guard may be a fantastic non-surgical way to treat your sleep disorder!
