Are You Grinding Your Teeth at Night? Understanding Bruxism

Do you wake up with a sore jaw, a headache, or sensitive teeth? Has your dentist noticed wear on your tooth enamel? You might be experiencing bruxism, the medical term for teeth grinding or clenching. While some people clench their teeth during the day, sleep bruxism (grinding during sleep) is particularly common and often goes unnoticed by the individual, frequently discovered by a partner or dentist.

Beyond the discomfort, chronic teeth grinding can lead to significant dental damage, including chipped, fractured, or loose teeth, worn-down enamel, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

At NTX Sleep Solutions, Dr. Rebecca Lauck understands that sleep bruxism is frequently linked to underlying sleep-disordered breathing, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). With her extensive background in both TMJ and Sleep Apnea treatments, she is uniquely qualified to provide effective solutions for patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and throughout North Texas.

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The Connection Between Bruxism and Sleep Apnea

For many years, stress was considered the primary cause of bruxism. However, growing research points to a strong correlation between sleep bruxism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It’s believed that teeth grinding can be a reflex action, a subconscious effort by the body to try and open a collapsing airway during an apneic event. When your brain senses a lack of oxygen, it may trigger clenching or grinding as a desperate attempt to move the jaw forward and clear the airway.

If your bruxism is accompanied by symptoms like loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or pauses in breathing during sleep, it’s crucial to investigate whether sleep apnea is the underlying cause.

Symptoms of Bruxism

Look out for these common signs that you might be grinding or clenching your teeth:

  • Chronic jaw pain or soreness (especially in the morning)
  • Headaches, particularly dull, constant headaches upon waking
  • Earaches (often referred pain from the jaw)
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Worn-down, chipped, or fractured teeth
  • Tight or fatigued jaw muscles
  • Clicking or popping sounds in your jaw joint (TMJ)
  • Indentations on your tongue or cheek tissue from clenching

Comprehensive Bruxism Treatment by Dr. Rebecca Lauck

Dr. Rebecca Lauck’s unique expertise in both TMJ and Sleep Apnea treatments (including two diplomate degrees in Sleep Apnea Treatment and focused studies since 2001) allows her to provide comprehensive care for bruxism, especially when it’s linked to sleep issues.

Our approach involves:

  1. Thorough Diagnosis: We’ll conduct a detailed examination of your teeth, jaw, and muscles. If a connection to sleep apnea is suspected, Dr. Lauck will facilitate collaboration with your physician for a sleep study to accurately diagnose any underlying sleep-disordered breathing.
  2. Custom Oral Appliances (Night Guards): For isolated bruxism, a custom-fitted night guard can provide protection for your teeth and jaw. However, if sleep apnea is the root cause, an oral appliance designed to treat sleep apnea will often resolve both conditions. These FDA-approved devices, similar to those used for sleep apnea, are custom-made to comfortably fit your mouth and position your jaw to alleviate clenching and grinding, while also ensuring an open airway.
  3. Addressing the Root Cause: By treating underlying sleep apnea with an oral appliance, we can often eliminate the subconscious grinding reflex, providing a long-term solution rather than just managing symptoms.

Find Relief from Teeth Grinding in North Texas

You don’t have to live with the pain and dental damage caused by bruxism. If you suspect you’re grinding your teeth, especially if you have other symptoms of sleep apnea, Dr. Rebecca Lauck and the team at NTX Sleep Solutions offer advanced, personalized solutions.