When you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, extreme pressure is put directly on the teeth. The jaw muscles are strong, made to chew tough foods. Stress, anxiety and other factors can contribute to bruxism. While you can control your jaw clenching or teeth grinding when you are awake, your teeth are vulnerable to this behavior when you are asleep.
A nightguard for bruxism is a plastic oral appliance that prevents the upper and bottom teeth from touching. This adds protection from tooth damage, preventing worn down teeth and stress cracks. This can also prevent aggravation of the jaw joint; bruxism can be a cause of TMJ/TMD if left untreated.
Customized Dental Nightguards
There are mouthguards you can buy at a drugstore that can offer some protection from bruxism. However, they are not designed to fit your mouth and may be uncomfortable. We offer customized dental nightguards that are made from a 3D scan of your teeth, bite and mouth shape. This can provide a more comfortable fit that will help you sleep better at night while effectively protecting your teeth and jaw.
If you suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding, a customized dental nightguard can protect your oral health and relieve morning jaw pain. Contact SmileBuilders, Inc. at our dental offices in Canton, Batesville, Byram, and Lucedale to schedule a consultation to discuss creating a nightguard for bruxism, or teeth grinding.