Mouth Guards
Mouthguards are coverings worn over teeth to protect teeth from grinding and clenching or can be worn to prevent tooth damage while playing sports.
Mouthguards are made from an impression of your mouth carefully taken by our dental professionals.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw. Bruxism is fairly common and some may not even be aware of their own grinding.
Some signs you may be a teeth-grinder are :
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Muscle aches
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Enlarged facial muscles or swelling
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Discomfort of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
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Shoulder and neck stiffness
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Ear pain
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Facial pain
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Sleep disorders
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A grinding sound at night
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Clicking or popping in the jaw
Bruxism can cause broken teeth, loss of tooth enamel, and in severe cases, loss of teeth.
The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed that stress and anxiety play the biggest role. Other causes may also be alcohol use, cigarettes, caffeine, sleep apnea, snoring, an abnormal bite, and crooked teeth.
Severe bruxism can cause:
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Damage to teeth, jaw, tooth restorations or crowns
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Tension type headaches
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Severe jaw or facial pain
If you think you have bruxism contact our office for a consult with one of our highly qualified and trained dentists for a mouth guard fitting.
Teeth Grinding and Receding Gums
Unfortunately, the damage caused by bruxism doesn’t stop with the teeth. Teeth grinding can also cause severe gum recession because of the pressure put on the gums by the motion. Tooth grinding can also make the teeth loose in their sockets, creating deep gingival pockets where bacteria can collect. These bacteria can cause the gums to pull back even farther from the teeth, exposing the delicate dental root.
Gum recession is not something you want to ignore. If you think your gums are receding, make an appointment with our dentist at Thousand Oaks Smile Design today. There are treatments that can repair the gum and prevent further damage.
Night Guards
Teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, is pretty common and can be painful and destructive to teeth.
Most cases of bruxism can easily be treated by wearing a night guard while you sleep. Night guards are also known as dental guards, mouth guards, nocturnal bite plates, or bite splints. They work by putting a barrier between your teeth. When you clench your jaw, the night guard helps to lighten the tension and gives a cushion to the muscles in the jaw. This cushioning not only helps to prevent face and jaw pain, but also protects the enamel of your teeth.
Night guards are used to prevent teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep. If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw, dull headache or toothache ask our dentists if a night guard will help you.
Day Guards
Day guards can protect you from teeth grinding during the day. Daytime teeth grinding and jaw clenching are a response to stress, but can also become chronic and can cause damage and pain.
If left untreated teeth grinding can:
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wear down enamel
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flatten teeth
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increase tooth sensitivity
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cause a receding gum line
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cause a tooth to crack
Sports Guards
Sports guards protect your teeth from being damaged during athletic activities. Hits to the head can cause broken teeth.
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By wearing a sports guard you reduce the risk of mouth-related injuries.
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If you play a sport involving any type of contact, we recommend you ask our dentists about getting a sports guard.
Since we are the Los Angeles Rams' official team dentist, we know the importance of sports guards and encourage all athletic patients to consider getting one.
We encourage parents to get their children a sports guard to protect their teeth from extensive damage. Sports that have higher risk of tooth damage are football, rugby, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, and lacrosse.
