Bruxism

 Most commonly known as teeth grinding, it is the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth. It is usually an unconscious activity whether the individual is awake or asleep. Grinding your teeth is often associated with fatigue, stress, anxiety, fear or occlusion irregularities. This results in abnormal wear patterns on teeth, periodontal problems and joint problems.
Bruxism causes wear damage to the teeth giving it abnormal flattened, highly polished and smooth surface. Putting a constant amount of force on the teeth can weaken the tooth structure which can cause chips and breaks on the teeth. Patients may complain of headaches, muscle and neck pain.
What can you do if you are grinding your teeth? It is best to see your dentist to get custom fitted for a night guard. The night guard will help slow down the wear on your teeth, help relax your joint.
A lot of people think that they can just get a store-bought night guard hoping it is the solution to the problem, when in fact it can actually make it worse. A night guard is not a one size fit all. It can throw off your bite even more and create more issue.
A night guard should be designed and fabricated by your dental professional. Guards of this type tend to be of a higher quality and superior fit, as they are made in a special laboratory from an impression of your mouth carefully taken by a dental professional. This is generally a more expensive device than one purchased over-the-counter, but can be more comfortable to wear and is more effective. It lasts longer and is adjusted by your dentist, so you can be sure that it will help you with reducing if not eliminating any pain or discomfort associated with teeth grinding.
For more information, please call 661-255-2545. The office is located at 27420 Tourney Rd., Suite 270 in Valencia. You can also learn more at www.kimrosendds.com.