Do you wake up with a sore jaw in the morning? Has your sleep partner told you that you grind your teeth in your sleep? Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can cause jaw pain, tooth damage and irritating nocturnal noise. If you have bruxism, you may suffer from many dental problems that can be expensive to repair. At Johns Creek Dental Studio, we offer a preventive treatment for teeth grinding. Our Alpharetta, GA, dental center can create a nightguard for bruxism, or teeth grinding.

Bruxism is a major problem for teeth and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When you clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night, you are exerting hundreds of pounds of pressure on your teeth and jaw joint. This pressure is meant to tear tough meat or grains between teeth, not to put directly on the teeth. Over time, the exerted pressure can cause tooth fractures. The grinding motion can wear down teeth and remove the enamel. Even the jaw can be affected; many cases of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD) are caused by bruxism.

Customized Mouthguard

A nightguard for bruxism, or teeth grinding, is one of the best preventive treatments. Our dentist, Dr. Arjun Parikh, can design a customized mouthguard for your teeth that can protect your teeth and relieve pressure on your jaw joint. The nightguard is designed from an impression of your teeth so it fits perfectly. The plastic keeps the teeth from touching while you sleep to eliminate damage from teeth grinding. The mouthguard also stops jaw clenching that puts stress on the jaw joint. Wearing a mouthguard while you sleep can protect your teeth and eliminate the jaw pain and other problems that come with TMD.

A side benefit of wearing a nightguard is that it also can help with snoring or sleep apnea. Not only does it stop jaw clenching and teeth grinding, but it can also help adjust the jaw to keep your airway open for better breathing while you sleep.

If you suffer from TMJ or bruxism, a dental nightguard may be the solution to eliminate your symptoms and protect your teeth from damage. Contact us at Johns Creek Dental Studio to schedule a checkup to discuss bruxism treatment at our dental center in Alpharetta, GA.