Protect teeth with night guards from Calgary, AB dentist
You only get one set of adult teeth, and the millions of times you bite down and chew in a lifetime can wear them out. If you are a bruxer, your teeth are likely to wear more quickly. Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma recommends thermoplastic night guards for her patients in the Calgary, AB area.
About bruxing
A person with bruxism clenches, grinds, or gnashes their teeth. Often, this is a sleep-related disorder. Frequent bruxing subjects oral structures to significant pressure. Many people do not realize they are sleep bruxers until they develop symptoms and complications such as:
- Disrupted sleep
- Grinding loud enough to wake a sleeping partner
- Fractured or chipped teeth
- Teeth worn flat
- Enamel worn through (showing deeper layers of tooth structure)
- Mouth pain
- Sensitive teeth
- Injury to soft tissues inside the cheeks
- Receding gums
- Soreness in the face or neck
- Earache
- Jaw pain and limited mobility
- Headaches or migraines
Bruxing tends to run in families. It may be triggered by stress, anxiety, anger, or frustration. Certain medications, smoking, alcohol, and caffeine can exacerbate bruxing.
Calgary, AB dentist explains the purpose of night guards
Cumulative damage from bruxism can be serious, and it may lead to eventual tooth loss. A night guard is a custom-fitted appliance that fits over the upper or lower arch of teeth. It serves as a protective layer between upper and lower teeth, minimizing wear from grinding side to side as it cushions teeth from downward bite force. The guard repositions the jaw slightly, relieving strain on temporomandibular joints.
The device is made of flexible plastic that molds to the shape of your mouth for a comfortable fit. The material is durable, to last a long time, even for heavy bruxers. All you do is slip it into place before you fall asleep. In the morning, remove the guard and brush it gently when you clean your teeth or give it a soak in anti-bacterial mouth rinse.
Would you like to learn more about a simple therapy that could improve the quality of your sleep and protect your teeth? Call (403) 768-2271 to schedule an examination with Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma at Lake Chaparral Dental Care in Calgary, AB.
