Night Guards

Are you doing it? Night-time tooth grinding and night guards:

Tooth grinding can seriously damage your teeth, jaw and jaw joints. Count on us to help save your teeth and smile.

Tooth grinding (or “bruxism”) can occur at any time of the day and night.  Most often people grind their teeth at night in their sleep so they are not even aware they are doing it.

What are the symptoms of tooth grinding?

• Constant dull headaches or earaches, neck aches, sore jaw and facial muscles especially in the morning upon wakening.
• Tooth sensitivity to cold, hot and sweet foods.
• Chipped teeth and broken teeth
• Chronic facial pain, worn down flat looking teeth,
• Clicking and popping of the jaw joint upon opening mouth

What causes tooth grinding?

The causes of tooth grinding are not clear, but are most often related to stress and anxiety.  It may also be the result of misaligned, crooked or missing teeth or a response to pain elsewhere in the body because of illness or medical condition. Ex: such as an earache or to teething in children.  Tooth grinding and clenching can also be aggravated by smoking, alcohol, caffeinated beverages and other stimulants.

Why should I care?

If you have some of the symptoms of tooth grinding, you shouldn’t ignore them. In time, it can cause a lot of damage to your teeth and jaw.

Teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. Chronic grinding may wear away your teeth to such an extent that only stubs are left requiring extensive treatment to restore a healthy functional smile.

What can I do?

Let our professionals check your situation and see if this is the case. When diagnosed, early chronic tooth grinding can be treated before it causes permanent damage to your teeth, jaws and jaw joint.

Decreasing one’s stress with relaxation therapy or doing things to relax you may stop night time tooth grinding.

However, when grinding becomes serious and causes pain or damage to your teeth and jaw, a night guard may be required.

What is a night guard?

A night guard, or bite plate, is a removable tray made of clear, tasteless polymer (plastic) material. It is custom-made to fit your teeth and mouth and to snap over your teeth, covering the chewing surface of your teeth.

It can be worn day or night, but most often it’s worn while sleeping to protect your teeth and jaw from the damaging effects of tooth grinding.

What are the benefits of a night guard?

• It prevents damage when grinding, which can cause damage to the enamel of the teeth, the jaw, dental work and even bone structure.
• Sleep better. Getting teeth grinding under control and can help you sleep better at night and feel better during the day.
• Relieves symptoms associated with grinding. Such as tooth pain, neck pain, jaw pain or headache. 
• Keeps your smile beautiful, by keeping your teeth from being damaged by premature wear.

If you think you may be grinding or clenching or if you wake up with soreness in your jaw, teeth or with a headache, you may be experiencing night time tooth grinding. Call us, we can help.