Bruxism/Grinding
Bruxism refers to the grinding and clenching of teeth. There’s a twist though, this grinding and clenching often occurs at night while you sleep. Chances are you don’t even know you’re doing it! As with many problems that occur during sleep, grinding and clenching often goes unnoticed until a spouse or partner hears the grinding at night or damage is detected by your dentist.
Factors that cause or provoke Bruxism include:
- stress
- reaction to pain
- certain sleep disorders
- teeth that are misaligned
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Studies suggest that the problem is often increased with the consumption of caffeine and alcohol. Bruxism can lead to dental problems including chipping, hot and cold sensitivity, damage to dental work and more serious scenarios.
Signs of bruxism include;
- sensitive teeth
- jaw muscle pain in the morning
- tooth tips that are flattened or dull
- the sound of grinding during sleep
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Bruxism can be treated or reduced through relaxation techniques, change in dietary habits and in more severe cases limited by a specially fitted mouthguard. If you grind or clench your teeth, ask Dr. Freedman about reducing or eliminating the problem. Your teeth as well as your spouse will thank you.
Snoring
If you sleep next to a snorer you know how a noisy sleeper affects you. You should be aware that the snorer sleeping next to you may be at risk of several other problems, over and above your animosity.
Snoring is the term used to describe the sound made during sleep when a person’s airway is narrowed, making breathing more difficult. During sleep the muscles in the throat relax, decreasing the width of the sleeper’s airway. As the oxygen that the body requires remains the same whether breathing is normal or not, a decreased airway causes air to travel faster into the body. The snoring sound is a result of the vibration of the soft palate, uvula and surrounding tissues as the air travels through the narrow relaxed airway.
No matter how loud the snorer sleeping beside you is, chances are he or she has never heard the snore and may be unaware of the severity of the snoring. Snorers may experience headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, and may even be at greater risk of stroke and heart problems.
Snoring can be a symptom of a far more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. A person with obstructive sleep apnea has his or her breathing obstructed completely, causing involuntary awakenings during the night, often gasping for air. Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed in a sleep clinic where a patient’s sleep is observed and monitored for a night.
Dr. Freedman has extensive experience with the medical areas of sleep and can help you or the snorer beside you to sleep through the night.
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