Teeth grinding, also known as sleep bruxism, is a destroyer of teeth. Healthy teeth will feel the effects of teeth clenching and grinding over time, and dental restorations can break too. If you wake up with headaches, a sore jaw, or aching teeth, it’s time to address the unconscious nighttime habit of bruxism with a customized night guard. Get help for this common and easily treatable problem from Downtown Dental in Los Angeles. You’ll save your teeth and preserve your sleep.
Dental Problems Caused by Sleep Bruxism
Teeth grinding is temporary for many people, often spurred on by stress. Just as many people, however, grind their teeth night after night. As a result, they have a host of oral health problems to contend with and ongoing inflammation and pain that cause serious discomfort every day.
If you are experiencing any of the following issues, it’s time to visit your Los Angeles dentist and discuss how a customized night guard can help:
- Broken teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Worn tooth enamel
- Deteriorating dental work
- Popping jaw
- Gum recession
- Tenderness, especially when chewing
Causes of Teeth Grinding
Determining the source of teeth grinding is the key to selecting the right dental treatment and correcting the complication. There are many possible causes of chronic bruxism, including:
- Jaw misalignment
- TMJ problems
- Severe stress
- Abnormal bite
- Crooked teeth
- Missing teeth
- Sleep apnea
It takes time for some oral health problems to develop because of sleep bruxism, but others cause dental deterioration quickly when teeth grinding is left untreated. The easiest and fastest way to stop the problem in its tracks is with a personalized night guard. Some patients may also benefit from corrections like Invisalign or dental implants for missing teeth.
Reasons to Invest in a Night Guard
You might not want to wear a night guard to bed every night, but this simple appliance can save your teeth, sleep, and level of comfort. Not to mention, you save yourself from additional dental problems and costly repairs over time. A night guard is an investment in preventive dental care.
- Protects upper and lower teeth from each other for full coverage.
- Requires only an impression of your teeth.
- Molds are sent to a dental lab for creation.
- Personalized guard is returned and tested for fit and effectiveness.
- The smooth, comfortable appliance is snug-fitting and made of clear plastic.
- Even through night after night of teeth grinding the night guard remains durable.
There is a temptation to get an over-the-counter night guard to address your problems, but boil-and-bite guards are an ineffective treatment that may cause more oral health complications rather than fixing what’s wrong. If you know you grind your teeth and know you need help to correct the habit, rely on your Los Angeles dentist for their expertise and a customized appliance that can last for decades.
Don’t forget, a customized night guard can save you thousands of dollars in dental work. If you go on grinding your teeth every night without intervention, more problems will develop and eventually you won’t be able to avoid the pain and discomfort they cause.
Get Treatment for Teeth Grinding in Los Angeles
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body – but teeth can only withstand so much when they’re facing off against each other. Any activity more forceful than short bursts of biting and chewing – like grinding your teeth all night – will cause side effects, chronic pain, and dental damage.
Protect your teeth from themselves and preserve your oral health with a customized night guard. Schedule a consultation with Downtown Dental in Los Angeles to learn more about sleep bruxism, correct problems caused by teeth grinding, and get fitted for a personalized night guard. You will feel better and sleep better.
Dr. Don Mungcal
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Dr. Don Mungcal, a distinguished dentist in Los Angeles, combines over three decades of experience with a deep commitment to patient care. A UCLA graduate, he earned his dental degree with honors from the University of the Pacific Dental School in 1990. Dr. Mungcal has been recognized as a Best Dentist in Downtown by the “Los Angeles Downtown News” for four years in a row and served as an instructor at USC Dental School. As an active member of the California Dental Society, among other prestigious organizations, he continually updates his expertise through extensive continuing education.
