NIGHT GAURDS
Protect Your Teeth
Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) occurs during sleep for some people. Occasional grinding and clenching can be related to stress and may come and go. It’s usually not a problem unless it becomes a constant habit. Habitual, long term bruxism can lead to serious damage to the teeth and jaw joints. Long term grinding can wear down the enamel of teeth and cause tooth pain. In addition, the excessive forces (up to 200 pounds) generated during teeth grinding can cause wear and tear on the jaw joints, leading to temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders; Also known as TMJ.
A custom night guard (also known as a dental night guard or occlusal guard) effectively repositions the jaw and keeps the teeth from grinding. The custom made guards are typically thinner and lighter in weight than those that are bought off-the-shelf. This makes them easier to wear comfortably and enables the user to even talk freely with the guard on. A custom fit insures that the placement of the guard is appropriate as each person's set of teeth is different and there are no two alike. The night guard should be used regularly for the best results possible.
