Do you find yourself waking most mornings with a headache or sore teeth and jaws? These are just some of the side effects of teeth grinding and clenching, and an indication that you might benefit from a customized night guard from Beachside Smiles in Manhattan Beach, CA. Immediately effective at stopping pain and dental damage, a night guard also improves sleep quality.
Oral Health Problems Caused by Teeth Grinding
Anyone can experience teeth grinding, also known as sleep bruxism. This unconscious habit can create serious oral health problems. Tooth enamel, after all, is the hardest substance in the human body and teeth are designed to deliver intense force – but only briefly when you’re biting and chewing food, not when teeth connect with each other in clenching or grinding motions.
Teeth grinding is not normal wear and tear – it’s a serious oral health condition that can result in pain and dental problems, such as:
- Worn tooth enamel
- Cracked teeth
- Broken teeth
- Damaged dental work
- Gum recession
- Headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Popping jaw joints
- Tenderness when eating
Causes of Sleep Bruxism
Sleep bruxism may be chronic or temporary. The cause of your condition can depend on the alignment of your jaw and teeth as well as lifestyle factors, including personal or professional obligations and stresses. Possible causes of teeth grinding and good reasons to invest in a night guard – and, potentially, other dental care – include the following:
- TMJ problems
- Misalignment
- Bite abnormality
- Missing teeth
- Severe stress
- Crooked teeth
Getting the correct diagnosis for teeth grinding is incredibly important so the most effective dental care can commence. Some patients may be good candidates for Invisalign or other orthodontic treatment, while others could benefit from replacing missing teeth with dental implants. These are long-term solutions though and take time to complete – the route to immediate relief is to wear a night guard every time you sleep.
Good Reasons to Invest in a Customized Night Guard
It is certainly faster and less costly to purchase a night guard at your local pharmacy than to visit your dentist for a personalized appliance. However, the most effective, safest way to protect your teeth from your own strength is with a customized night guard. Prioritize the investment in yourself and your oral health with a guard designed just for your unique teeth and bite.
You will be fitted for a night guard by having impressions taken of your teeth. Molds are sent to the dental lab and a clear, smooth, full-coverage guard is created to fit the entire upper arch of your mouth. With this durable appliance in place, you will have instant relief from sleep bruxism and protect your upper and lower teeth from damaging each other.
Teeth grinding is easy to treat. These are just some of the reasons to see your Manhattan Beach dentist about a customized night guard:
- Avoid developing additional problems or pain caused by an ill-fitting appliance.
- Receive a night guard made of strong materials that are difficult to alter or damage.
- Get a snug-fitting appliance that is comfortable to wear while sleeping.
Get a Night Guard in Manhattan Beach
Teeth grinding does not always go away on its own. Most people who suffer from this problem experience it chronically and need dental intervention to get the discomfort to stop. Bruxism is an unconscious habit, and it is a destructive one that’s difficult to stop without a night guard.
Avoid the dental problems and pain that come from teeth grinding and build up into even bigger complications or dental emergencies. Visit Dr. Don Mungcal at Beachside Smiles in Manhattan Beach, CA, to learn more about a customized night guard.
