Do you frequently have headaches and jaw pain or often wake with a sore jaw or tooth? If yes, then it may be because of excessive tooth grinding or jaw clenching during sleep. Scientifically known as bruxism, teeth grinding is one of the most common causes of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) and excessive tooth wear — and it is much more common than you would think. The solution? Custom-made night guards.
Most patients who have bruxism are often entirely unaware of their habit. Often, they come to know about it from their spouses who are awakened from sleep because of the clicking and grinding sounds they make while they sleep.
In addition to being painful and uncomfortable, bruxism will also grind down your teeth very quickly, even crowns and bridges, resulting in premature failure or dislodgement.
lthough bruxism is extremely dangerous for your teeth, you can minimize its damaging effects with custom night guards.
A night guard, also known as an “occlusal guard,” is designed to perfectly conform to your teeth, creating a seamless feel. Generally placed on the lower jaw, the night guard acts as a protective barrier between your teeth, preventing excessive wear and fracturing. Night guards are similar to mouth guards as they both offer protection against tooth grinding. However, they are less bulky than mouth guards.
In addition to jaw pain, bruxism can also damage the teeth, resulting in problems such as cracks, fissures, chipping, and most importantly, the weakening and removal of protective tooth enamel, which leads to tooth sensitivity.
Call Pro Smiles OC today at 949-880-6638 to schedule an appointment with our dentist, Dr. Ivan Ho, and learn more about getting night guards in Laguna Hills, California.
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