A patient's dentist may recommend custom mouth guards to reduce the effects of bruxism and help prevent long-term tooth damage. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common cause of headaches, jaw pain and similar symptoms. It also can increase a patient's risk for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, a condition that may cause jaw joint pain, trouble opening or closing the mouth and difficulty chewing food.
While there are conscious steps to take for patients who clench or grind their teeth while awake, those who grind their teeth while asleep may not even be aware that they are doing it. There are several things that can let patients or their dentist know that bruxism is a problem.
In many cases, a patient's dentist will notice extreme wear on the teeth in a case of bruxism. To prevent further damage and preserve the teeth, the dentist may recommend a custom mouth guard.
Having a headache when waking up is a common sign of bruxism. The prolonged tension resulting from grinding the teeth at night often result in painful headaches.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) often becomes tender to the touch in patients who grind their teeth at night. In some cases, joint pain will be so severe that the patient has trouble open and closing the mouth normally. Bruxism is not the only cause of TMJ pain, but it is a common one.
Many patients may not think that bruxism is particularly dangerous. However, according to Dentistry Today, bruxism often reaches a force of up to 500 pounds per square inch (psi). This force is many times the force of normal chewing — even biting down on dense, crunchy foods like carrots exerts a force less than 30 psi.
This repeated force can cause damage to the teeth. In some cases, patients with bruxism end up causing severe damage to tooth enamel. Since enamel is the protective layer, patients with bruxism may eventually experience increased sensitivity and even cavities.
Mouth guards provide a layer between the jaws that protects the surfaces of the teeth from further damage. They may not completely stop bruxism, but they do protect the patient's teeth from continually being worn down. Guards designed for night use are custom-fitted by a dentist based on an impression of the patient's teeth. They are usually comfortable and low-profile, and they do not interfere with breathing. Most patients become accustomed to sleeping in mouth guards fairly quickly.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Mouth Guards in Scottsdale, AZ.
For patients who grind their teeth at night or suspect they do, a good first step to dealing with the problem is simply talking to a dentist. The dentist can examine teeth for signs of bruxism. If mouth guards are needed, a custom-fitted option keeps the patient comfortable and reduces the often-painful side effects of teeth grinding.
Request an appointment or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at 480-439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.
A good mouth guard can protect your top and bottom teeth from injury. Your teeth are prone to trauma whenever you play contact sports or engage in rough activities. Losing even one tooth can affect the way you smile, eat, and speak. A tooth injury could even lead to more expensive, complicated, and lasting dental…
For many professional and amateur athletes, mouth guards are essential for protection and safety. Even children and teenagers may require this type of protective equipment in a variety of sports settings. While many universal-fit options are available and easy to access, most dental professionals recommend ordering a custom-fit model from the patient's dental care office.…
Thinking mouth guards are in your near future? A mouth guard is made to protect your teeth from being damaged under certain conditions. Mouth guards are made to protect your gums, teeth and overall mouth so you do not have to worry about any dental damage, giving you the peace of mind you deserve. Since…
Patients have likely heard from a dental practice in the past that fluoride is critical to good oral health. However, some patients do not know about the advantages of fluoride and might have some questions. They might wonder how to incorporate it into a daily routine. Keep reading to learn more about why fluoride is…
Patients should keep on top of dental practice visits to prevent common oral issues. Gum disease affects many people, and it is essential to care for the gums and teeth early on. Getting an exam and cleaning is about more than just finding cavities. Instead, the dentist can catch a range of oral health issues.…