Do you struggle with frequent headaches, earaches, or jaw pain? Do you sometimes catch yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth after a stressful day?
Teeth grinding or clenching is known as bruxism and is a natural reaction to stress. But as natural as it might be, the constant pressure and motion of bruxism can seriously harm your smile, causing surface wear and eventually serious dental trouble. What’s more, untreated bruxism can also lead to TMJ dysfunction, insomnia, eating disorders, and depression. Which is why, at Dr. Carmen’s Norman dental office, we can help you treat bruxism with a nightguard.
What Is a Nightguard?
A nightguard is an oral appliance you wear while you sleep, when unconscious teeth grinding is most common. They are designed to stop teeth from grinding and clenching, and can be custom-made to fit your exact needs. There is more than one type of nightguard, and if one doesn’t work, we can help you find another that might.
In addition to creating a custom-made nightguard for you, Dr. Carmen can also recommend relaxation techniques that will help you manage and alleviate stress, although, for many patients, a nightguard is all it takes to erase symptoms of bruxism.
Let Dr. Carmen Help You Smile Again
If you live in Norman, Moore, Central Oklahoma, or near The University of Oklahoma, Dr. Carmen can help you treat bruxism. Give us a call today if you’d like to schedule an appointment with us. We look forward to seeing you!
When you hear your dentist mention fillings, do you immediately think of grayish-black amalgam fillings?
People avoid the dentist for a variety of reasons. In some cases, it’s because of dental anxiety. In others, it’s because a condition that makes sitting in dental chairs for long periods uncomfortable. But for still others, the reason has more to do with a busy lifestyle than anything else.
As February turns into March, warmer weather is on the way. And with this warmer weather comes thoughts of heading outdoors and enjoying the sunshine.
Valentine’s Day may be over, but it’s not too late to draw attention to the relationship between your smile and your heart (or between your smile and your overall health for that matter). The two are deeply connected, tied to one another by gum disease.
Bruxism is another name for a problem you may be dealing with everyday without knowing it—teeth grinding. More specifically, bruxism can involve grinding your teeth back and forth across each other, or just clenching your jaw.
We’re about a full week into 2012, but many people are still thinking about New Year’s resolutions. If you’re one of them, consider making a New Year’s smile resolution.
Christmas is a time for presents, for sharing of yourself with loved ones, and for indulging in your favorite holiday treats.
Do you need to replace either your top or bottom teeth with a row of full dentures? If so, have you considered choosing
For some patients, what’s aggravating about a trip to the dentist isn’t getting a shot or having to hold their mouths open, it’s the drill, whether the whiny sound it makes, the smoky smell it produces, or the vibrations it causes.