The hustle and bustle of everyday life can be exhausting to try and keep up with, let alone without the added complication of sleep issues. Indeed, having to also endure disrupted or insufficient sleep not only impacts your levels of energy and feelings of being rested, but it compounds in terms of making any task much more of a chore than it has to be. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist explores the influence of chronic teeth grinding on your oral health, and why it is important to keep an eye out for early warning signs.
Sudden Increase in Stress
It goes without saying that our lives can get pretty chaotic and hectic, especially with many things to juggle. From making sure everyone is fed to getting children ready for school, attending work, family and social obligations, and even more, finding the time to relax and care for you is difficult. Not only this, but it makes you prone to increased amounts of stress.
While stress is a natural part of life, there are many instances in which it can become so great that it begins to impact your daily function. One such way this may present itself includes through the process of unconscious teeth grinding.
Indeed, chronic teeth grinding – also known as bruxism – occurs when a person tightly clenches his or her teeth together and then moves the lower jaw from side to side, thus generating friction between structures. As this process occurs, your teeth can endure significant damage as well as complications to proper function. For more information about this process and how increased stress can contribute to teeth grinding, give our team a call today.
Difficulty Breathing at Night
In addition to increased levels of stress, another possible cause of chronic teeth grinding includes difficulty breathing while you slumber at night. Indeed, when the throat muscles become relaxed, they may constrict your airway and make it difficult for air to pass through naturally. As a direct result, you may experience snoring or periods of brief arousal from slumber.
In order to stay on top of your oral health, your dentist may recommend testing for obstructive sleep apnea or suggesting the use of an oral appliance. This will help open the airway and protect your structures from damage. Give our team a call today to learn more about this process.
Unidentified Issues
In terms of other concerns, there are countless options that can indicate a bruxism issue or lead to an increased likelihood of bruxism. It is how timely you are in terms of seeking treatment that influences your overall outcome, however.
Learn More Today
To learn more about the impacts of chronic and untreated bruxism, contact SleepWell Houston in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 and schedule your next appointment with our office today.
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