Do you wake up with a headache, earache, sore jaw, or sore neck? These are signs that you could be grinding or clenching your teeth at night. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can be damaging to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which are located on either side of the head and aid you in opening and closing your mouth. They also work with the jaw muscles to help with chewing, talking, swallowing, and other jaw movements. If you’ve been having trouble with any of these, it could help to see a dentist.

A common and effective solution for teeth grinding is a night mouth guard. This device is worn while you sleep and helps to keep the top and bottom line of teeth from touching and grinding against one another. Your dentist at Dentistry of the Oaks in Houston, TX can get you fitted with one. There are many shapes, materials, and colors available to choose from, and your dentist in 77018 can help you find the right one for you.

It is helpful to consider the following when getting a night guard:

• A custom-fitted night guard is the most effective and the most comfortable. This type is created by a dentist, such as yours at Dentistry of the Oaks, and will fit your mouth perfectly. There are mouth guards available over-the-counter, but these do not fit as well and can become dislodged when grinding occurs.
• The mouth guard should fit completely over the upper and lower teeth. This helps it to stay in place better.
• A hard acrylic mouth guard can be more effective than a soft one. Hard night guards are more durable and less likely to wear down over time.

It can be useful to talk to your dentist about other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. With certain disorders, a night guard will not be recommended because it could make the problem worse.

When using a mouth guard, be sure to use it regularly. Your teeth can really suffer if you fail to do so – teeth grinding can not only wear down the teeth, but can cause fractures or even breaking. Do your teeth a favor and get a night guard made at Dentistry of the Oaks. It can allow you to get a good night’s sleep in Houston, TX.