At Lovett Dental Vintage Park, we have seen a wide variety of oral health issues and have the experience you need to address them. That is why we have expanded our services to include much more than just general dentistry services. Our team can handle a wide variety of problems, including bruxism. Bruxism is the medical term used to describe teeth grinding. It commonly takes place while people are sleeping, and it can be addressed using nightguards. Learn more about how we can address this problem using nightguards below.

Addressing the Long-Term Consequences of Sleep Bruxism

Even though bruxism can take place during the day, many people grind their teeth during sleep. Close to half of all children experience teeth grinding at some point while they sleep. Often, teeth grinding is an involuntary reaction to fear, stress, and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to take a look at some of the long-term consequences that can be brought on by bruxism.

Overall, sleep bruxism can lead to significant harm. Some of the long-term consequences of sleep bruxism include:

  • The teeth can become eroded, mobile, and might even fall out.An example of night guards that help with bruxism
  • People can damage dental crowns, dental fillings, and even dental implants.
  • Individuals can wake up with morning headaches.
  • Teeth grinding can also make it hard for people to fall asleep at night, leading to long-term fatigue.

The good news is that there are ways to address sleep bruxism using nightguards.

The Purpose of Nightguards for Bruxism

Everyone must think about ways they can protect their teeth, particularly if they suffer from sleep bruxism. Over time, the continuous wear and tear on the teeth can damage the enamel. Therefore, it is a good idea to place a cushion in between the teeth.

That is where a night guard for bruxism can be helpful. Nightguards play soft cushion in between the surfaces of the teeth. As a result, people grind on this cushion instead of the surfaces of their teeth. Over time, this type of protection can go a long way toward preserving the overall integrity of the teeth themselves. Trained oral health professionals can work with someone to identify nightguards that will work best for their needs.

Nightguards for TMJ Are Also Helpful

A side effect of bruxism is that individuals might develop something called TMJ as well. TMJ is the medical term used to describe the temporomandibular joint. This joint controls the jaw as it opens and closes.

If people grind their teeth, they place a significant amount of stress on the jaw muscles. Over time, people might develop symptoms such as:

  • Jaw pain
  • Play sensation of the bones of the jaw popping as it opens and closes
  • Audible clicking noises as they chew, eat, or speak
  • A sensation of the jaw locking up from time to time

If these symptoms are not addressed quickly, they can lead to major problems. Therefore, it is important to work with trained oral health professionals. You understand how to use nightguards to help with these problems. That is where we can help you.

Trust the Team from Lovett Dental Vintage Park for Help with Nightguards and Sleep Bruxism

Sleep bruxism is a major problem that impacts countless people all over the world. At Lovett Dental Vintage Park, we are proud to provide a wide variety of services to our patients. This even includes emergency services. We would be happy to work with you if you need nightguards for teeth grinding or TMJ. We have connections with some of the top providers in the industry to provide you with the right sleep equipment for your needs. Contact us today at 832-843-6776, or contact us online.