Is Your Jaw Causing Sleep Concerns?

Many Americans struggle with their sleep for a variety of reasons. And while we can’t help much about the noise in your neighborhood or the time of sunrise, there are aspects of oral health that interact with your nightly rest. Sleep apnea is a very common concern, especially among men, and it can cause problems with your general health. And constant disruption in sleep can lead to miserable days, where you find yourself feeling tired before lunchtime.

Another sleep issue that affects the smile is what is known as bruxism, or the gnashing, clenching, and grinding of your teeth. This can lead to issues with wearing and breaking down your enamel, or the hard surface of our teeth. This gives us our functionality, and protects the internal aspects of the tooth. Today, your Gary, IN dentist explains how the wearing of a simple and low-effort custom mouthguard may be able to protect you from your unconscious self. All without surgery or a noisy CPAP machine!

Breathe Freely

When you have sleep apnea, you might not even be aware that you have this condition. Since you are unconscious when your airway becomes blocked, you do not even notice that you are pausing breath. If this happened when you were awake, it would be very disquieting. But often, this goes unnoticed until a partner or loved one mentions the topic. If it has become concerning to them, you should speak with a trained oral health professional about your options.

A custom-fitted mouthguard may be a simple solution that is less of a hassle than other methods. CPAP machines are so loud and obtrusive that they are frequent jokes in movies and television. And surgery may make people hesitant for a variety of reasons.

This pushes the jaw slightly forward, allowing the airway to remain open throughout the night. Obstruction is a relatively simple mechanism, and this is a small way to mitigate this situation. But it can save your health and the way you feel!

Protect Your Smile

Another serious concern that occurs during sleep is what is known as bruxism. This is the collision of the teeth and jaw in many forms, including grinding and clenching. And this can lead to serious issues with your teeth. These concerns are not only with the way they appear, but also the future of your overall oral health.

This action can lead to damage in the tooth structures themselves, or in your alignment. A custom nightguard can save time and money in the long run by stopping harm before it happens!

ABOUT YOUR GARY, IN, DENTIST:

As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him, welcoming patients from Gary, Miller, Miller Beach, and all surrounding areas. To schedule your appointment, call Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, today at 219-938-2637. You can also email our office at info@healthysmilesnwi.com.