Your tooth enamel is the strongest substance in your entire body. This strong but brittle tooth layer is made up of 96% mineral content, but that doesn’t make it invincible. In fact, if you’re among the estimated 13% of people who suffer from teeth grinding or teeth clenching (bruxism), you could be causing serious damage. At Gentle Dental Langley, as a dentist in Langley, we don’t want to see that happen to your beautiful smile.
Teeth grinding most often occurs at night. While the muscles and nerves in your jaw should be resting during sleep, involuntary contractions lead to clenching, gnashing, or bruxing. Did you know that human jaw muscles can generate as much as 1,000 pounds per square inch force? This can wreak havoc in the mouth in several ways if it becomes a persistent habit.
Teeth grinding and clenching can damage your teeth.
You could end up with…
- cracks or chips
- tooth fractures
- worn teeth
- damage to existing restorations, including fillings, dental implants, veneers, bridges, and crowns
- tooth loss from extensive damage
- costly repairs.
…Not to mention the strain caused to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to headaches, earaches, migraines, and a host of other issues.
So, if you clench or grind your teeth, come see us. As your dentist in Langley, we can fit you with a night guard to protect your teeth and your jaw from the damage caused by grinding and clenching. This small, comfortable, custom-fitted oral appliance fits comfortably over your teeth, either on your upper or lower jaw, depending on your mouth structure. Don’t worry, it only has to be worn at night.
Don’t risk your teeth. Prevent damage from grinding and clenching with a night guard. We encourage you to contact our friendly team today! We would be happy to help you.
