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Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common condition where people grind and clench their teeth. While some grind their teeth during the day due to stress, many unwittingly grind their teeth at night as they sleep. A custom night guard crafted by a dentist provides a long-term solution to bruxism issues. Learn what benefits they provide here.

Why Invest in a Night Guard

1. Prevents Further Tooth Wear

A night guard creates a barrier between your teeth to prevent further enamel wear that reduces tooth surface material and increases sensitivity. As enamel, or the protective outer layer that gives teeth their white hue, wears down, it exposes dentin. The sensitive inner tooth material made of blood vessels and nerves causes pain sensations when it’s exposed to hot and cold food and liquids.

2. Avoids Headaches

dentistGrinding and clenching teeth during the night often cause headaches in the morning because of excessive tension. Rather than starting every day with head pain, use a night guard to wake up refreshed. You’ll also sidestep toothaches, earaches, and muscle fatigue.

3. Reduces Jaw Pain

The temporomandibular joint in the jaw, or the hinge responsible for moving the jaw up and down and from side to side, becomes stressed and tense from nightly clenching. Without treatment, you can develop temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, that causes severe jaw pain.

A night guard prevents jaw stress to keep the bones and surrounding muscles relaxed.

4. Promotes Healthy Sleep

A clenched jaw not only inflicts pain, but it also creates breathing problems because you are not inhaling and exhaling properly. Using a night guard separates the upper and lower jaw to avoid airway restrictions that cause snoring and interrupted sleep. Instead, you get to breathe easily throughout the night and awake feeling rested every morning. 

 

Discuss your bruxism symptoms with Dr. Thomas Park DDS, the dentist in Seymour, CT, who is known for his gentle touch and friendly demeanor. His dental practice offers emergency care when patients need it and provides a comfortable environment where area residents receive customized treatments from an exhaustive service list. Call (203) 888-9947 to schedule an appointment with this dentist or visit his website to learn more about his services.

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