Nightguards
Beaverton, OR
 Do you wake up in the morning with pain in your jaw? Do you find it difficult to eat your favorite foods? Do the muscles in your face feel tired? If you have answered yes to these questions, you may be living with a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism affects the health of your mouth and your overall quality of life. Summercrest Dental can help with a nightguard.
What is Bruxism?
Grinding and clenching your teeth is a condition called bruxism. When you brux, your jaw muscles put excessive pressure on your teeth, your jaws, and your temporomandibular joints, or TMJ. The excessive use of your muscles can also cause them to become tired. With bruxism, you may be faced with a serious dental issue. The condition can also interfere with your quality of life, making the smallest movements of your mouth incredibly difficult.
Causes of Bruxism
There are several different issues that can lead to bruxism. These causes include:
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Stress is one of the leading causes of bruxism
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Poor tooth or jaw alignment
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Caffeine consumption
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Tobacco products
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Alcohol use
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Certain types of drugs |
How Do I Know if I Have Bruxism?
There are many symptoms that can point toward bruxism. At first, you might never even know that you have a problem. Over time, however, the symptoms begin to appear. They may start mild at first. Even if you notice them, you might not think much of them. The longer bruxism goes untreated, however, the worse the symptoms become. Symptoms of bruxism include:
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Pain in your jaw and face
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Uneven or excessive tooth wear
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Damage to your teeth, such as chips or cracks
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Cracked or loose fillings
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Gum recession
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Loose teeth
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Tooth loss |
Treating Bruxism With a Nightguard
A nightguard is an oral device that is worn over your teeth while you sleep. It resembles a sports mouthguard or whitening tray in appearance. The function of the nightguard is to absorb the impact that bruxism places on your teeth, your jaws, and your temporomandibular joints. By absorbing the impact, it protects these areas of your mouth, helping to alleviate the symptoms of bruxism, protecting your oral health and restoring your quality of life.
There are several types of nightguards available. You can find some nightguards at the pharmacy. These nightguards are readily available and affordable. However, they do not always provide the best fit. When your nightguard does not fit properly, it may fall out of your mouth while you sleep. It can also interfere with your breathing, causing more issues than it solves.
We recommend a custom fit nightguard. This is a nightguard that we create for you in our office. It is made from impressions that we take of your mouth. The impressions help to ensure an optimal fit and allow us to consider your bite for greater comfort. We also use high-quality materials, which helps to ensure that your nightguard lasts.
With a custom fit nightguard, we can help you to protect your mouth from the effects of bruxism and improve your overall quality of life. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, contact Summercrest Dental at (503) 649-7701 today. |
