If you’re someone who struggles with snoring at night and you constantly wake up feeling tired, you might be struggling with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea might be caused by bruxism, which is a condition where you grind your teeth while sleeping. Bruxism can affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep and when left untreated can cause tooth damage. Dr. Michael Murphy, Dr. Alexandra Welzel, and Dr. Joel Danziger in Baltimore, MD, can explain how bruxism can cause sleep apnea and tooth damage and how it can be treated.
How Bruxism Can Affect Your Life
When you grind your teeth at night, you’re more likely to be at risk for other issues like sleep apnea or damaged teeth. Bruxism can be frequent and can lead to severe symptoms that can affect your overall quality of life. Your doctors in Baltimore, MD, can treat your sleep apnea by helping you with your bruxism. If you don’t seek proper dental care, you are at risk of damaging your smile and causing harm to the rest of your body as a result of sleep apnea.
Some common symptoms of bruxism include:
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
- Worn tooth enamel
- Increase in tooth pain and sensitivity
- Jaw, neck, or face pain and soreness
- Dull headaches
- Disrupted sleep
The best way to stop bruxism is by consulting with your doctor as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms happening frequently. Your dentist may recommend a splint or mouthguard to protect your teeth or dental correction in severe conditions.
Contact Your Dentist Today!
Avoid things like broken teeth or sleep apnea by treating your bruxism today. Contact Dr. Murphy, Dr. Welzel, and Dr. Danziger in Baltimore, MD, to ask any questions about bruxism or sleep apnea that you may have. Call today at (410) 235-1233.