How Using Bruxism Nightguards Can Save Your Teeth From Damage

Bruxism is the name for clenching or grinding your teeth. It’s relatively common for people of all ages and it often happens at night while you’re sleeping. Bruxism can be mild and need no intervention, but if you notice it affecting you in other ways, talk to a dentist in Milford about bruxism nightguards.

Many things can cause teeth clenching at night:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Abnormal bite
• Crooked or missing teeth
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Sleep disorders

Interestingly, a 2016 study in The Journal of the American Dental Association revealed that you are twice as likely to clench your teeth at night if you drink alcohol or smoke.

There are several ways bruxism can affect other parts of your body. You should pay attention and take action if you notice any of these signs:

• Dull headache
• Jaw muscle contractions
• Painful or loose teeth
• Jaw clicking
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Sore jaw
• Facial pain
• Grinding noises at night

It can eventually cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a painful condition that affects the jaw joint, located just under your ears.

If you tell your dentist about your nighttime clenching, they may recommend using a nightguard. They’re a low-maintenance solution. Some position your jaw so that your muscles relax and it takes away your impulse to clench. They also protect your teeth from cracking and breaking.

There are different nightguards with different levels of customization.

• One-size-fits-all: While they’re simple and inexpensive, they offer no customization and may not fit quite right.
• Boil-and-bite: It may fit, but not perfectly.
• Custom-made in a lab: This provides a perfect fit for your teeth and the greatest chance of treating your bruxism.

If you clench and grind your teeth in your sleep, and you want to talk to a dentist about bruxism nightguards, book an appointment at Milford Family Dental today!