Prevent Dental Damage from Nightly Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding occurs in your sleep, and is often caused by anxiety or having crooked teeth. Over time, this condition can cause headaches, jaw aches, and tooth damage. One way to combat this problem is to have a custom mouth guard made. Your Orange County dentist can create a mouth guard to wear at night that prevents damage caused by grinding your teeth.
Your dentist will work with you to find a mouth guard that is comfortable, so you won’t lose sleep over your teeth. Once fitted, simply put the guard in place before you go to sleep every night. Be sure to clean it thoroughly every morning to keep your teeth healthy and germ-free.
There are also other things you can do to prevent grinding your teeth at night. Your dentist will discuss stress reduction techniques that may help you, and you can also discuss daytime habits that may contribute to your teeth grinding. Avoiding alcohol before bed can be very helpful, since drinking tends to exacerbate the problem. Daily exercises to prevent clenching your jaws throughout the day can also reduce the risks of nightly teeth grinding.
Your Orange County dentist will discuss all possible courses of treatment, in addition to fitting you with a mouth guard. If you already have damage to your teeth, you may want to ask about cosmetic options to repair your teeth once you have your teeth grinding habit under control. All of these treatment options combined will help you to be more comfortable and will help you retain your healthy smile.