Is it possible that you are grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it? The answer is ‘yes’, and you can prevent a number of dental health issues by investigating the problem and seeking help from a Raleigh dentist if necessary. To find out if you might be a night-grinder, think about these questions:
• Does your bite feel ‘off’ or uneven when you awake in the morning?
• Are you challenged by sensitive teeth even though you don’t have cavities?
• Do the edges of your teeth appear flat or very sharp?
• Does your sleep partner complain that you make a grinding or scraping sound when you sleep?

It is very likely that you suffer from bruxism if you answered “yes” to any of these questions. Bruxism is a common nighttime phenomena that can be mild and sporadic or very frequent and destructive. While it is easy to catch and stop yourself gritting your teeth during the day, night grinding is more problematic since you are unable to stop yourself from committing the action while you are asleep. As a result, much damage can occur after many nights of tooth grinding.

Wearing a custom-fitted night guard is the most effective solution for preventing teeth grinding while you sleep. Without this protection, you may find that you often wake with pain in your facial region and teeth. Your teeth are also more likely to be compromised by cracks, factures and erosion. If you suspect that you or someone that you know may be a tooth-grinder, get help by scheduling an evaluation with a dentist right away. Your custom night guard could be the solution that ends your TMJ pain and prevents irreversible damage to your teeth and jaw joints.

It may sound strange, but your teeth deserve a rest just as much as you do. Whether your teeth grinding is a passing phase or a chronic problem, the resulting damage can lead to expensive repair work in the future. As such, it’s always best to find out if you need a dental night guard sooner rather than later.

Contact a dentist in the Raleigh area to find out if a night guard is appropriate for you.