The muscles that control the mouth and jaw are very powerful. When you need to chew tough foods, these muscles provide extensive pressure between the upper and lower teeth. For people with bruxism, the power of the jaw muscles works against them, possibly damaging their teeth and jaw joint. At Southern Oaks Family Dental Care in Baton Rouge, LA, we offer treatment for bruxism with mouth and night guards.
Bruxism is a condition that involves jaw clenching and teeth grinding. The cause is not known, but there are some risk factors that can contribute to this condition. Bite abnormalities, stress, genetics and other factors can increase the risk for bruxism. The pressure on the teeth can cause damage to the enamel and structure, especially for those who grind their teeth at night. The stress on the teeth and jaw can also lead to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD). While there is not a cure for bruxism, wearing a mouth or night guard can protect the teeth and jaw joint.
Nightguard for Bruxism – Teeth Grinding
If you have bruxism, wearing a nightguard can protect your oral health from nocturnal teeth grinding. Our dentist at Southern Oaks Family Dental Care can recommend a customized dental nightguard that you can wear when you sleep. To make the mouthguard, we take an impression of your teeth, which we send to our dental lab where they make your custom nightguard. The device is made from a flexible plastic that fits comfortably over your teeth. When worn at night, it can prevent the teeth from touching and stop the damage caused by bruxism.
Wearing a dental mouthguard when sleeping can be beneficial for some other oral sleep disorders besides teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Many people with sleep apnea, snoring or TMJ get relief from using a dental nightguard when they sleep.
If you have bruxism or another oral sleep disorder, come see us at Southern Oaks Family Dental Care. We can perform an exam and discuss whether a dental nightguard could benefit your oral and overall health. Contact our dental center in Baton Rouge, LA, to schedule your appointment.
