Tuesday 6 October 2015

What Teeth Grinding Does to your Smile

Night time teeth grinding is an involuntary action that many people may experience from time to time. However, continued and frequent teeth grinding has some negative consequences for your health, including:

Flattening Enamel - Persistent pressure on teeth, and the force of moving teeth back and forth against each other, can wear them down over time. With extra force, enamel begins to flatten, which can take a toll on aesthetic and your ability to chew properly.

Creating the Need for Restoration - Teeth that are protected from damage by preventive health measures need less complex care. When enamel has been altered by extensive grinding, however, dental restorations may be necessary. Teeth grinders may need dental crowns to prevent additional damage, protect weakened teeth, or repair chips, cracks, and fractures.

Creates Jaw Pain and Tension - Teeth grinding and jaw pain go hand-in-hand. While grinding teeth, muscles around jaw joints clench and tighten, creating soreness, discomfort, and frequent headaches.


While all of these secondary issues are uncomfortable, they are preventable with the help of a custom oral appliance.

Protecting your Smile with Mouth Guards

Mouth guards create a barrier between each arch of teeth and cushions against all of the extra pressure caused by teeth grinding. With mouth guards, patients grind teeth against the protective appliance, not dental enamel.

Mouth guards also prevent the radiating jaw pain caused by muscle clenching that contributes to grinding. With the support provided by the mouth guard, the extra force is absorbed by the appliance, alleviating soreness in jaw joints or clicking and popping sounds that are indicative of jaw joint issues.

Learn more about how you can Benefit from Dental Appliances

If you’re a night-time teeth grinder or you’re experiencing persistent jaw pain, mouth guards can provide a simple and effective solution to these nagging dental problems. Contact our Plano dental office to learn more about getting a custom-created oral appliance.

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