Mouth Guards

Whether you are an athlete or casual sports participant, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. Mouth guards take pressure off of your jaw and protect your teeth from harm caused by clenching, grinding, or physical activities.

Bruxism

By definition, bruxism is the habitual, involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth, usually during sleep and sometimes associated with stress. When this occurs only occasionally, it doesn't cause harm and does not need to be treated. However, frequent clenching/grinding causes several problems: headaches, jaw pain, poor sleep, wearing down of the teeth, and even the loss of teeth.

For more information on bruxism and the effects it has on your oral health, please visit www.proteethguard.com/bruxism-information-center/

 

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing/crooked teeth.

Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.

If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to Dr. Milt. He will examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and abnormalities in your teeth. You then will be advised to invest in a mouth guard.

In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in damaging, fracturing, loosening, or complete loss of teeth. Chronic grinding may wear teeth down to stumps. When this happens, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.

Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, result in hearing loss, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.

We custom make mouth guards and nightguards in both soft and hard materials.  There are mouth guards available for athletes, daytime/nighttime wear, and dual purpose snoring aids.

Athletic

 

  

Full Day/Night

 

 

NTI Plus

 

 

Silent-Nite

  

 

Effects of teeth grinding/clenching left untreated