Nightguards
Do you wake up in the morning with a sore or aching jaw? This is often the result of bruxism, a condition that causes chronic teeth clenching and grinding. Bruxism often occurs at night while we sleep, and often the person who clenches and grinds is the last one to know!
Many people have a tendency to clench their teeth or grind slightly when they are upset or stressed out about something. But when the clenching and grinding doesn’t let up or it happens when you aren’t aware of it, it can turn into a serious problem.
The Problem with Bruxism
Your jaws can exert a lot of force. This is great if you are enjoying a juicy steak or a crunchy apple, but not so great if you are clenching your teeth while you sleep!
Over time, the force of your teeth grinding together can do considerable damage. You can wear down your enamel or the chewing surface of your teeth. You may develop abfractions, which are small notches in your enamel near your gumline. You may even crack or lose teeth, which affects the alignment of your bite and contributes to a whole host of additional problems.
Some people who clench or grind their teeth also develop problems with their jaw joints. This can turn into a painful joint dysfunction known as TMJ or TMD.
Treating Bruxism
We’d prefer to avoid all of that unpleasantness. Fortunately, the treatment for clenching and grinding can actually be quite simple. A custom-made nightguard that you wear while you sleep can help ease uncomfortable symptoms and avoid problematic complications.
At every appointment, Dr. Wahlers will look for signs of damage that can indicate a clenching and grinding habit. You may already suspect that you clench or grind, or a partner may have told you that you grind your teeth at night. If you are diagnosed with bruxism, Dr. Wahlers can create a nightguard for you made from impressions of your teeth. The nightguard is comfortable, easy to adjust to, and won’t impede your breathing while you sleep.
It is also helpful to address the underlying reasons why you clench and grind. If you have been under chronic stress, we can look at some ways to relieve stress such as talking to a counselor. Sometimes, a misalignment in your bite can drive bruxism, and this can be resolved by realigning the bite with a crown or other restoration or straightening misaligned teeth with orthodontics.
Dr. Wahlers will take the time to explain your condition and provide you with digital imagery so that you can see what’s going on inside your mouth. He will make sure to listen to any concerns you may have and answer all your questions.
Call for an Examination
If your jaws are frequently sore or you suspect that you are grinding or clenching your teeth, please call our East Norriton dental office today to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Wahlers. Bruxism is highly treatable, and there’s no reason for you to be in pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
A nightguard is a dental appliance that is worn during sleep. There are many forms of nightguards, with the most common types being very similar in appearance to a mouthpiece worn by athletes. A nightguard is fabricated by a dentist and its purpose is either to prevent teeth, crowns, or veneers from chipping during sleep, or to help prevent clenching and grinding during sleep. A properly fitted nightguard fits tightly and comfortably, and must be made to evenly occlude (or touch) the opposing teeth. An improperly made nightguard can cause worsening joint issues and discomfort. Some patients have trouble adjusting to wearing a nightguard, but most people find the relief and protection they provide to be indispensable.
The habitual clenching and grinding of one’s teeth, also known as bruxism, is a very common condition affecting millions of Americans. Many times, people are unaware that they clench or grind, and the diagnosis is usually made by a dentist when uneven wear of the enamel surfaces is noticed. Other times, the condition is diagnosed from a patient’s complaint of pain or soreness in their cheeks and jaws, which is typically either muscle or joint pain caused by bruxism. To protect the teeth, and to reduce the symptoms of bruxism, a nightguard is often the first line of treatment recommended by a dentist. In our office, impressions of the teeth are taken, and a dental lab then fabricates an appliance that is custom fit to the patient’s mouth. A nightguard is worn while sleeping since the majority of the damage to the teeth and the joints occurs during sleep, when people are unable to control their clenching and grinding.
Although drug stores will stock their shelves with over-the-counter nightguards, I almost never recommend them. Essentially they are just a variation of boil-and-bite mouthpieces that athletes wear during contact sports. Two negatives to over-the-counter nightguards are their less than ideal fit and their bulkiness. More importantly, if the fit is not adjusted properly by a dentist, it is possible to harm oneself or worsen the condition. Anyone who has tried an over-the-counter nightguard, only to see no improvement (or worsening) of their symptoms, should consider a professionally made nightguard. The cost varies depending on which type is made, but typically we charge $325 for most nightguards, considerably less than many offices. Insurance benefits may cover a portion of the cost depending on the plan.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Christopher Wahlers
Dr. Wahlers was born and raised in central New Jersey. He attended Gettysburg College for his undergraduate studies, where he majored in biology, graduating summa cum laude. During his undergraduate volunteer experiences in different medical settings, Christopher decided to pursue a career in dentistry.
During his time at New Jersey Dental School (Rutgers University), Christopher served as president of his class and graduated in 2003 as a member of the OKU National Dental Honor Society. He continued his education with an Advanced Dental Education residency program at Temple University.
Prior to Wahlers ...
Featured Blog Posts - Nightguards
Why do I need a nightguard if I know I don’t clench or grind my teeth at night?
I enjoy seeing my patients, when they have just finished an extensive amount of dental work,take pride in their new smile. Implants, crowns or veneers can have amazing results, either by enhancing a smile, or restoring teeth that were lost for various reasons. What patients often do not realize though, is that their beautiful new teeth should be protected. For patients who have just received extensive dental work, a nightguard can often be a wonderful, easy, and inexpensive way to protect your dental investment. A nightguard is made in our office and is designed to wear during sleep, to protect teeth from grinding or clenching which can lead to cracked porcelain, or damaged implants.
Many patients tell me that ...