You only get one smile, so it’s important that you take steps to protect your teeth. Do you want to sleep better and have less headaches? Have you tried a Mouth Guard? If you’re prone to grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, your dentist may recommend that you use a dental night guard for protection.
Why do I grind my teeth?
One of the main reasons people grind or clench their teeth at night or during the day is because they are tense, anxious, or frustrated. That doesn’t mean you have to be any of these things to experience bruxism, however. There are many different factors that go into why a person might be clenching or grinding their teeth, but the result is almost always some degree of discomfort.
Many reasons can cause these issues.
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding, clenching, and gnashing teeth. Some people do this unconsciously while they are work due to anxiety, frustration, anger, stress, or fear. Other people grind their teeth while they sleep. Medications, caffeine, alcohol, and certain medical disorders can increase the risk of developing bruxism.
What problems can it cause?
Mild grinding does not often require treatment; however, moderate to severe bruxism can cause damage to the teeth, jaw pain, headaches, sleeping issues and other problems.
Frequent and severe cases of bruxism can aggravate the joints in your lower jaw, wear down your tooth enamel, cause headaches, and even cause earaches.
What can I do?
People who grind their teeth at night can often benefit from wearing a dental night guard. Night guards are made out of a laminate or acrylic material that is flexible. Once in place, the night guard acts as a cushion, distributing the pressure from grinding and clenching away from the biting surface. It also reduces friction. So these benefits can help to minimize the risk of the teeth becoming damaged due to grinding and may ease symptoms of bruxism. Your dentist can help you determine if a dental night guard is right for you.
How do I fix it?
The key to stopping bruxism from overtaking your life isn’t just to wear any store bought teeth grinding guard. It is best to purchase custom dental guards from your dentist that are comfortable to wear as well as durable and effective.
Call us for more information.
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