Mouth Guards

Night Guards also known as Bruxism Appliance

Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as Bruxism, is pretty common and can be painful and destructive to teeth. Luckily, there are plenty of night guards for Bruxism on the market that can help anyone who clenches and grinds their teeth while sleeping.

About Bruxism: Symptoms, Side Effects, Causes

Bruxism is fairly common and some may not even be aware of their own grinding. Some Bruxism symptoms you may suffer from are:

  • Teeth grinding
  • Waking up with dull headaches
  • Jaw soreness
  • Facial pain
  • Fatigue from lack of sleep

Occasional teeth grinding may not cause any real concerns, but long-term, consistent Bruxism can lead to broken teeth, loss of tooth enamel, and in severe cases, loss of teeth.
The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed that stress and anxiety play the biggest role. Other causes may also be alcohol use, cigarettes, caffeine, sleep apnea, snoring, an abnormal bite, and crooked teeth.

Night Guards

Most cases of Bruxism can easily be treated by wearing a night guard while you sleep. They work by putting a barrier between your teeth. When you clench your jaw, the night guard helps to lighten the tension and give cushion to the muscles in the jaw. This cushioning not only helps to prevent face and jaw pain, but also protects the enamel of your teeth.

Fitting your Night Guard

Parks West Dental will personalize the fit of your night guard by taking impressions of your teeth and sending them away to our laboratory for fabrication. These offer the most accurate fit because they are made with your impression in a lab.
If you suspect you may suffer from Bruxism, don’t worry. It can easily be treated with night guards. However, it’s always good to see a doctor to see if you can discover the root cause and fix that before seeking other treatment. In some cases, sleep apnea can be a cause.