night guardIf you are prone to grinding your teeth while you sleep, you can cause substantial damage to your mouth. Not only can it hurt your teeth, but it can also detrimentally affect your jaw. It is difficult to treat the root causes of this condition — also known as bruxism — because it is frequently caused by environmental and emotional stimuli. That said, it is possible to mitigate and stop the damage by using an oral appliance. In today’s blog, your Newport Beach, CA, dentist discusses teeth grinding and the ways a night guard can serve as a solution. 

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism — the term for consistent teeth grinding — usually happens at night when you are sleeping. If you suffer from it, you are probably unaware that you are clenching their teeth, which makes it difficult to identify before damage to your teeth is already done. In some cases, grinding is linked to environmental factors like stress or anxiety. If this happens to be the case, alleviating the negative emotions can alleviate the condition. In more severe cases, however, you will likely need professional treatment from a dentist or dentist. In these instances that warrant this sort of intervention, you need to act quickly to prevent severe issues from developing. If you don’t you might need more intrusive treatments down the road — like oral surgery.

What Can Cause Night Time Teeth Grinding?

As mentioned above, this condition can stem from myriad causes, which makes identifying the specific root arduous. If your bruxism typically happens while you are asleep, it can be related to other sleep issues like sleep-talking, excessive snoring, and sleep apnea. If it happens while you are awake, it could be caused by jaw misalignment or environmental triggers. Teeth grinding is often connected to anxiety, stress, and frustration. Ultimately, any type of tension in your daily life can contribute. While there are many factors behind this disorder — which makes it more difficult to treat — there are also helpful solutions and remedies.

A Night Guard Can Help

While treating the root causes of bruxism can be quite involved, you can find relief through a night guard. This device is custom-made to precisely fit your mouth and it protects your teeth while you sleep. It comfortably fits in your mouth and prevents your teeth from grinding together. If you opt for this appliance, you will quickly grow accustomed to it, and wearing it will seamlessly fit into your nightly routine. Overall, it is an effective and easy solution that can prevent you from needing more costly cosmetic procedures down the road, if your bruxism is left untreated.

Schedule An Appointment To Learn More About Night Guards

If you think you may suffer from teeth grinding, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help. To learn more about night guards, schedule an appointment by calling Balboa Dental Surgery in Newport Beach, CA, today at 949-630-0143. We look forward to hearing from you.