How do I know if I grind my teeth?
You may grind your teeth because of stress or anxiety, because your mouth and jaw are incorrectly positioned, because you have missing or crooked teeth, or because of a sleep disorder.
You may grind your teeth all day and not even realize it, or you may do it at night and only know about it when your dentist tells you your teeth are worn down or when your partner tells you that they can hear your teeth grinding together. If you constantly grind your teeth, you may start to have constant ear pain, pain in the neck and jaw, and headaches.
What can I do about bruxism?
Botox injections to relax the muscles, medication, and stress management are possible treatments for bruxism. However, there are several advantages to choosing a night guard to prevent tooth grinding:
• It is noninvasive, safe, and is immediately effective. A night guard is a simple device that fits over your teeth at night to prevent your top and bottom teeth from meeting and grinding together – you don’t have to worry about taking medication for years or returning to your doctor for a medication refill or another Botox treatment every few months.
• It protects your teeth from damage. The pressure of tooth grinding can wear off tooth enamel, damage fillings, and crack teeth.
• It prevents headaches and pain associated with tooth grinding, by allowing your muscles to relax.
A night guard is a simple solution to what can be a very harmful and painful problem. If you grind your teeth, call Soft Touch Dentistry to discuss being fitted with a night guard. Contact the Brighton office at (617) 782-9250 or the Newton office at (617) 332-8146 today.
