Signs & Symptoms of Teeth Grinding
It's often difficult to tell whether tooth grinding is simply an annoyance or a serious problem.
If you experience one or more of these problems, it's time to talk to our local dentist about getting a custom-made bite guard:
- Flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
- Tooth enamel that's worn down, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won't open or close completely
- Soreness in your jaw, neck, or face
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it's actually not a problem with your ear
- Dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
How Will a Night Guard Help?
Teeth grinding and clenching, or , is common and interestingly enough, many sufferers don't even know it's happening. During the day, it can be easier to stop the behavior but at night it's harder to control because you're asleep.
Night guards for bruxism help ease the pain that can result by putting a barrier between your top and bottom teeth. The cushioning that a night guard provides lightens the tension on your jaw when clenching and protects the enamel of your teeth. It is worth noting thatit'll feel a little awkward to wear at first and adjusting could take a week or two. If you stick with it though, pretty soon you won't even notice it's there.
Wearing a night guard is better than the alternative, however. Long-term grinding or clenching can lead to broken teeth, loss of tooth enamel, and even loss of teeth. Avoid these outcomes by requesting a personalized oral appliance from our Grandville, MI, dental office.
