Chronic teeth grinding is often the result of long-term, untreated stress. As time goes on, the unnatural pressure and muscle tension can lead to several different oral health problems. This could come in the form of minor-to-moderate dental fractures on multiple teeth or dental attrition to the tooth enamel.

Without some form of remediation, the muscular tension and the potential inflammation of the temporomandibular joints that hinge your jaw can lead to other complications. This could include the pain and discomfort from TMJ disorder, which can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life.

If you find yourself grinding your teeth at night on a regular basis and stress relief measures have failed to remedy this issue, you should strongly consider sleeping with a dental guard in your mouth. This is a basic mouthpiece made from a special soft, plastic material. You simply insert it into your mouth shortly before going to bed. It will cushion your teeth and allow a mild amount of slip to reduce muscular tension in the temporomandibular joints.

Some people find that the dental guards sold in stores can be a little uncomfortable or they can feel awkward in the mouth. Sometimes a poorly designed dental guard can slip out of position as the night goes on or even cause excess salivation. If you’d like, Dr. Deji Fashemo can fit you for a high-quality, custom dental guard.

This appliance is custom shaped to match your unique dentition. It will cushion your teeth from fractures and dental attrition on the biting surfaces. The modest amount of slip it allows can reduce the tension and resulting inflammation in the temporomandibular joints.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas, area and you’ve struggled with regular teeth grinding, you should call 972.947.2000 or 972.947.2200 to explore your dental guard options at Fourth Dimension Orthodontics & Craniofacial Orthopedics.