Do Nighttime Mouth Guards Help Stop Teeth Grinding?

Stress and Oral Health Columbia, SCOne of the most common culprits for worn, broken, or chipped teeth combined with frequent headaches and jaw pain is teeth grinding. Clinically called “bruxism,” this condition can wreak havoc on your teeth and jaw, so it’s important to treat teeth grinding before it leads to more serious consequences. Many people don’t realize they grind their teeth, as it often happens during sleep, so you might want to consider visiting Dr. Tom Trinkner in Columbia, SC for a nighttime mouth guard to stop your teeth grinding.

Why is Teeth Grinding Bad For Teeth?

Tooth grinding and jaw clenching often indicate an issue with the bite. The “bite” refers to the alignment of your teeth. People who grind or clench their teeth often have uneven bites, such as an underbite or overbite.

Teeth grinding is commonly associated with stress, whether from your own personal environmental factors or stress inside the mouth and jaw from a dental problem. When teeth, jaw, and intricate system of muscles in the mouth and neck aren’t working properly, it creates tension. This tension can lead to headaches, facial pain, and teeth grinding.

Tooth grinding can lead to a host of oral health problems, such as:

  • TMJ disorders, which may become difficult to treat
  • Cuts or sores on the inside of the cheeks
  • Worn or dull teeth
  • Cracked teeth, which may lead to infection and cavities

Nighttime Mouth Guard to Stop Teeth Grinding

Dr. Trinkner provides thorough and comprehensive dental care for patients who suffer with complex dental problems, including teeth grinding. It’s important to protect the teeth from damage with the use of a custom mouth guard or night guard. This custom oral appliance is worn to reduce the stress placed on teeth from teeth clenching which can occur during sleep.

Your night guard is designed to position the jaw so the teeth cannot come into contact with each other while you sleep. Some patients also find that night guards help them stop snoring because of the gentle realignment of the jaw during sleep. A custom-fitted mouth guard and night guard is a better option as it is designed to fit comfortably according to your mouth shape and size to reduce discomfort and improve treatment outcomes.

Columbia, SC Dentist

If you’ve been dealing with teeth grinding, you can visit our Columbia, SC dentist office for a nighttime mouth guard to stop your teeth grinding for good. Schedule an appointment online or call our office at 803-400-8729 today.