Bruxism & Nightguards
Teeth Grinding
Many people have a habit of grinding their teeth or clenching their jaws, this is called bruxism.
Most people do it in their sleep, so it often goes undetected until a family member hears the grinding sound or a dentist notices symptoms. If diagnosed early enough, bruxism can be treated before it causes more damage to the teeth.
Causes of Teeth Grinding
Grinding may occur because the top and bottom teeth are not aligned properly.
Alcohol and caffeine intake can aggravate the condition, causing more severe grinding or clenching.
Most often, bruxism is related to stress.
Effects of Bruxism
Wear of tooth enamel
Chipped or broken teeth (can occur at gumline)
Increase in temperature sensitivity
Breaking of fillings or other dental work
May worsen temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
Symptoms to Look for
Teeth grinding, often very loud, during sleep
Teeth that look flat at the tips or edges
Jaw pain, headache, or earache
Frequent contraction of muscles on the side of the face
Sensitive teeth
Abnormal alignment of teeth
Treating Bruxism
We can make you a customized nightguard to wear on maxillary (top) teeth while you sleep.
You can also go to any drugstore and get an over-the-counter nightguard. These do not perfectly fit your teeth and can be more bulkly.