How to Prevent Bruxism

2 Minute Read: 

Teeth grinding (bruxism) may not sound like an alarming concern initially. Nevertheless, failing to correct it can lead to significant issues with your oral health and a decrease in your quality of life. Thankfully, dental night guards can help stop bruxism from taking bites out of your sleep and damaging your teeth. 

What Are the Symptoms and Complications of Bruxism?

One of the best ways to stop bruxism is to be aware of its signs and symptoms. Unfortunately, many people are not aware that they grind their teeth unless their sleep partner notices it or they experience dental problems. Excessive tooth grinding can cause severe damage, such as the chipping or cracking of your natural teeth, restorations, and crowns.

Additional symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Inability to sleep or fatigue after a long night’s sleep
• Headaches and jaw aches 
• Soreness in the neck, jaw, or face

If an intense amount of teeth grinding has occurred or your teeth grinding is left unchecked, your teeth may become fractured, chipped, or even loose. Adjunct disorders may also arise, such as temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which occurs when there has been an erosion of the joint. This condition can cause clicking or popping sounds and limited or stiff movements in the jaw. 

How Can I Prevent Teeth Grinding?

There are many ways you can reduce your teeth grinding (including relaxation techniques and avoiding caffeine or alcohol); however, your first and most effective defense is having your dentist fit you for a night guard. Dental night guards are highly effective, as they place a barrier between your upper and lower teeth to prevent them from clenching or grinding during sleep. Naturally, avoiding damage to the teeth also prevents you from requiring additional restorative dental procedures and having to pay unnecessary expenses for the work that bruxism-related damage may cause. 

With a night guard, patients can enjoy more restful and quality sleep by easing pressure on the jaw joints and teeth, which can prevent headaches and soreness from arising during or after rest. 

Even though it is possible to find dental night guards at your nearest drugstore, these pre-fitted night guards are not as comfortable or safe as the ones that Dr. Tomazin provides as the store-bought ones are not molded to your particular bite.

Interested in Learning More About Teeth Grinding and Dental Nightguards?

Dr. Chad Tomazin has been proudly serving the Inland Empire community for years, bringing compassionate care and expertise to each patient’s dental needs. 

If you are looking for more information on how to prevent teeth grinding (bruxism) or are looking for a comfortable and safe dental night guard, please contact our office in Riverside, California, by calling (951) 686-3666 or by filling out our online form.