Comfortable mouthguard for grinding teeth provided by Calgary, AB dentist

If you find yourself waking up with a sore jaw, pain in your teeth, frequent headaches, or dental issues such as broken teeth, receding gums, and worn down enamel, you may be one of the many people who clench and grind their teeth while they sleep. Called bruxism, this condition can take quite a toll on your oral health and overall well-being, but fortunately, there is a simple treatment for it. At Lake Chaparral Dental Center in Calgary, AB, Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma creates custom-fitted mouthguards for teeth grinding to help protect your teeth and give you a better night’s rest.

Why do people grind their teeth?

The underlying cause of bruxism differs for each patient; however, common triggers include chronic stress, frustration, and anxiety. It can also be caused by taking certain medications, caffeine and alcohol consumption, and smoking.

How bruxism mouthguards work

Made from a piece of flexible plastic, a bruxism mouthguard looks like a retainer or mouthguard that you would wear during contact sports. Using impressions of either your upper or lower teeth, the mouthguard is custom fabricated for comfort and a perfect fit. When you wear it while you sleep, it adds a layer of protection between your upper and lower teeth, which:

• Cushions the force of your bite
• Minimizes the wear and tear on your teeth
• Relieves strain on your jaw and temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
• Prevents you from suffering from aches and pains associated with teeth grinding

Wearing and taking care of your mouthguard

Using a bruxism nightguard is simple! You just place it in over teeth before you go to sleep, and when you wake up in the morning, you take it out and gently brush it before or after your brush your teeth. You can also soak the mouthguard in antibacterial mouthwash to help further clean it and eliminate bacteria.

If you think you might be grinding your teeth at night, Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma can conduct an evaluation of your teeth and gums and listen to your symptoms to determine whether you may benefit from a tooth grinding mouthguard. Call our Calgary, AB office today at (403) 278-5272 schedule your consultation!