Teeth grinding is a sleep disorder that can cause excessive damage to your teeth and jaw. Also called bruxism, this behavior puts stress on the teeth that can wear down enamel or even crack the tooth structure. Many people with bruxism wake up with tooth pain, jaw pain, facial pain or headaches. It is difficult to control bruxism since it occurs when you sleep, but you can prevent damage to your teeth and jaw. At SmileBuilders, Inc., we offer nightguards for bruxism, or teeth grinding, at our dental offices in Canton, Batesville, Byram, and Lucedale, MS.

When you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, extreme pressure is put directly on the teeth. The jaw muscles are strong, made to chew tough foods. Stress, anxiety and other factors can contribute to bruxism. While you can control your jaw clenching or teeth grinding when you are awake, your teeth are vulnerable to this behavior when you are asleep.

A nightguard for bruxism is a plastic oral appliance that prevents the upper and bottom teeth from touching. This adds protection from tooth damage, preventing worn down teeth and stress cracks. This can also prevent aggravation of the jaw joint; bruxism can be a cause of TMJ/TMD if left untreated.

Customized Dental Nightguards

There are mouthguards you can buy at a drugstore that can offer some protection from bruxism. However, they are not designed to fit your mouth and may be uncomfortable. We offer customized dental nightguards that are made from a 3D scan of your teeth, bite and mouth shape. This can provide a more comfortable fit that will help you sleep better at night while effectively protecting your teeth and jaw.

If you suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding, a customized dental nightguard can protect your oral health and relieve morning jaw pain. Contact SmileBuilders, Inc. at our dental offices in Canton, Batesville, Byram, and Lucedale to schedule a consultation to discuss creating a nightguard for bruxism, or teeth grinding.