Do you regularly wake up with a sore jaw or with teeth that feel like you chewed gum all night long in your sleep? If so, then you may be clenching your jaw in your sleep. This is a problem referred to as bruxism. If you get diagnosed with bruxism, it means you are either grinding your teeth, clenching your teeth, or some combination of both. This may be done while you are sleeping, or while you are awake. It is a serious condition that your dentist and oral surgeon need to know about.

Problems with Clenching Your Teeth In Your Sleep

If you have been clenching your teeth in your sleep, you could be causing serious harm to your teeth. Since you are sleeping, it becomes increasingly difficult to stop this practice. Your teeth can stand up to a lot of pressure, but a lot of pressure that doesn't stop can leave you with permanent problems with your teeth. One of the more common side effects of clenching your teeth is cracked teeth. This means that your teeth actually fracture, sometimes to the point of requiring extraction. The hardest part of the entire process is the fact that you cannot tell you are doing it until the damage is already done in most cases.

Should you ever wake up with a sore jaw or teeth that just feel like they have been over-used, contact your dentist or your oral surgeon. Have them look around your mouth for signs of bruxism. If they see that your teeth show signs that they have been ground down or clenched tight, they will have to come up with a treatment plan to help protect your teeth. This may involve something like a mouth guard to keep your teeth separate during sleep, so you don't crack your teeth and lose them. If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more, please call us today at (212) 245-5801.