Do you ever wake up with a sore jaw or headaches? If you have ever woken up to this problem, then there might be chance you grind your teeth at night time. This also means it’s a good idea to schedule a dental visit. Your dentist can help you identify if you have a bruxism problem. Most bruxism or teeth grinding can be treated with a night guard.

Night guards can be bought over the counter or can be fabricated in a dental office or dental lab. Over the counter night guards are usually universal fit. Night guards that are fabricated in a dental office or lab are usually custom made for your mouth. Dr. Danial Kalantari of Smiles on Bristol Dentistry usually recommends to his patients that need night guard the custom fitted night guard. The fit of the custom night guard fits better and retain better in the patients mouth than the over the counter one.

There are different types of night guard materials, the material depends on how heavy the grinding is. The most common type of night guard is a soft/hard laminate. The soft material is in the inside part which makes it more comfortable for patients when they apply pressure on the hard outer part. This type of material is for patients that have moderate to severe bruxism.

Bruxism or teeth grinding can be caused by anxiety, stress, and frustration. Another reason for teeth grinding or bruxism is malocclusion. When teeth are not in line they create more pressure for other teeth causing some teeth to chip or break. Some medicines are also known to create bruxism. It is best to consult with your dentist if you see any wearing of your teeth.

Constant pressure on your teeth can cause long term problems for your teeth and jaw. If you think or feel that you are experiencing bruxism contact your treating dentist. You can also contact Dr. Danial Kalantari of Smiles on Bristol Dentistry or the friendly staff if you have any questions. contact-us/