Night Guard

What is teeth grinding?

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a condition where you habitually clench your jaw or grind your teeth. It commonly occurs at night when you’re asleep. Some studies estimate that 8% of adults grind their teeth while they’re sleeping.

While occasionally clenching or grinding won’t significantly affect your smile, doing it habitually can cause damage to your teeth and jaw.

What causes teeth grinding?

It’s not entirely clear what causes people to grind their teeth, but some of the risk factors that are more likely to make you grind your teeth include:

• Stress or anxiety
• Age, with grinding more commonly seen in young children
• Certain medications, like antidepressants
• Consuming substances like tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs
• Genetics or a family history of bruxism

Whatever might be causing your teeth grinding Dr. James Rochefort can help.

What are some signs that I’m grinding my teeth?

It can be difficult to diagnose teeth grinding since it usually happens while you’re sleeping. But there are a handful of effects of bruxism that Dr. Rochefort can observe to determine if you’re grinding your teeth at night, like:

• Worn tooth surfaces
• Fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
• Damage to the insides of your cheek

Additionally, if you’re grinding your teeth, you might notice:

• Increased sensitivity or pain in your teeth
• Soreness in your jaw or a locked jaw
• Pain in your face, neck, or jaw
• Disturbances in your sleep

In some cases, nighttime grinding can be so loud that it wakes your sleep partner. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with Dr. Rochefort immediately.

How can a night guard help with my teeth grinding?

If you’re suffering from bruxism, Dr. Rochefort can help protect your smile by fitting you with a custom-fabricated night guard. Your night guard is made from an impression of your smile, so it fits perfectly snug over your teeth and rests comfortably in your mouth.

Wearing a night guard won’t necessarily stop you from grinding your teeth, but it will put a protective layer of plastic between your upper and lower teeth, which can significantly mitigate the damage done by grinding.

Get started on your custom night guard by scheduling a visit with Dr. James Rochefort, Family Dentistry. Book an appointment over the phone or online today.