Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? If so, our dentists may recommend that you wear a custom night guard.
People who grind their teeth at night often wake up with sore jaws and headaches. If left untreated, teeth grinding can also wear away enamel and lead to TMJ disorders.
If you suspect you have , you’ll want to keep reading to learn how night guards stop teeth grinding.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a medical condition that causes patients to grind and clench their teeth, often while they’re asleep. As such, you may not even know you have bruxism until your dentist spots the signs. You may also find out that you have bruxism if your partner hears your teeth squeaking while you’re asleep.
Symptoms of bruxism include:
- Worn tooth enamel
- Headaches (especially after waking up)
- Sore jaw
- TMJ disorder
- Earaches
- Neck pain
- Painful teeth
- Chipped or fractured teeth
- Loose teeth
protects your teeth and jaws from bruxism and saves you money in the long run. If left untreated, bruxism can crack and destroy teeth. Not to mention the force from grinding your teeth overworks your jaw muscles.
How Night Guards Work
A bruxism guard is an oral appliance you wear while you sleep. This appliance forms a protective layer between your upper and lower teeth.
During your first appointment, we'll take impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab. The lab will then use these impressions to create your custom night guard.
When you return for your second visit, your night guard will be ready for you to pick up. One of our dentists will ensure that the guard fits comfortably and allows you to breathe with ease.
Your night guard only works if you wear it consistently. But if your night guard feels uncomfortable, you may feel tempted to skip nights. Some people may even remove an uncomfortable night guard in their sleep.
Why Night Guards are Important for Oral Health
A night guard for teeth grinding is the best way to protect your smile from bruxism.
The night guard forms a protective layer between your upper and lower teeth. That way, you can’t clench your jaw and cause damage to your smile.
A bruxism guard will help get rid of the headaches you’ve been experiencing. It'll also help relieve any pain or discomfort from your jaw or teeth.
After you’ve been wearing your night guard for a while, you should be able to enjoy a better quality of sleep.
If you are under a lot of stress, you may have difficulty with trying to stop teeth grinding on your own. That's why we recommend that you schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.
Request an Appointment With Us
Do you suspect you may grind or clench your teeth at night? If so, it's time to see one of our family dentists in Troy, MI.
Dr. Kelly Giera is accepting new patients. To request an appointment, please call Mosaic Dental at (248) 528-2270. You may also fill out our online contact form.
We'd be more than happy to help you set up your next visit.
This blog post has been updated.
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