Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can be extremely damaging to your teeth and oral health. The cause of bruxism is not always known. It has been linked to genetics, stress, bite misalignment and other factors. What is known is that bruxism can damage teeth and put stress on the jaw. At First Smile Family Dental, we offer treatment to protect your teeth, including a nightguard for bruxism-teeth grinding.
Your jaw muscles exert extreme pressure when chewing or clenching your jaw. While this pressure is useful for grinding food, it can be detrimental to your teeth when applied directly. Jaw clenching or teeth grinding cause wear and tear to your teeth and jaw joint. You can control your bruxism while awake through behavior modification, but nighttime teeth grinding is hard to stop. The best option to protect your teeth is the use of a customized nightguard that can stop damage caused by clenching and grinding.
Teeth-Clenching Mouth Guard
When you clench or grind your teeth, the enamel can be worn down and small fractures can occur. You may experience more frequent decay or need tooth repairs due to damage from teeth clenching or grinding. A mouthguard is a specialized device made from plastic to fit over your teeth and stop them from touching while you sleep. Nightguards for bruxism are designed from a mold or 3D impression of your teeth, creating a comfortable, customized mouth piece that protects your teeth while you sleep.
Not only can a teeth-clenching mouth guard prevent bruxism damage, but you may also experience other benefits. A dental nightguard can help reduce TMJ disorders. Our dentist can determine if a nightguard is the best treatment to help protect your teeth from bruxism or if it may help with other oral health conditions.
If you suffer from bruxism and it is impacting your oral health, teeth grinding treatment is available at First Smile Family Dental. Contact our office in Federal Way, WA, to schedule a bruxism consultation with Dr. Nguyen. We offer customized dental nightguards for bruxism and TMJ that can protect your smile and oral health.