Grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep, called bruxism, can take a real toll on your health and comfort. You may not know you do it, but the symptoms tell the story. A custom mouthguard from Main Street Dental Smiles can protect your smile and help you wake up rested.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is grinding or clenching the teeth during sleep. It often goes along with snoring or sleep apnea and can be triggered by stress, worry, an uneven bite, or crooked or missing teeth. Symptoms include morning headaches, fatigue, earaches, jaw pain, tooth pain, receding gums and chipped, cracked or worn teeth.
How a Mouthguard Helps
The most effective protection is a night guard (also called a nocturnal bite plate), which fits over your teeth much like a retainer. It eases the pressure of clenching and puts a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth.
Types of Mouthguards
- Stock guards: ready-made and sold in drugstores and sporting goods stores. They rarely fit well and can feel bulky.
- Boil-and-bite guards: softened in hot water and molded to your teeth. A better fit than stock guards, but often still bulky.
- Custom-fitted guards: made from impressions of your teeth. They fit best, protect best, feel comfortable and never get in the way of your breathing.
Mouthguards in Whitesboro, TX
Learn more about custom night guards, call (903) 564-3451 or contact us to get fitted.