Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Bruxism and Night Guards

Many patients at Bishop & Bishop Dental experience some negative effects of bruxism.  Bruxism is the medical term for any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw.  This can be brought on or intensified by stress, but usually stems from having a crooked bite or missing teeth.  Some people grind their teeth consciously, but others only grind their teeth while they sleep at night and may not be aware of it.  Waking up with a stiff or sore jaw could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored.  Contact us for a consultation to see what damage you may be doing.
Whether the teeth grinding is taking place during waking hours or not, chronic teeth grinders often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals, and in severe cases tooth loss can occur. A custom night guard is the best defense against the dangers of this habit.  We outfit patients with night guards by taking an impression and having a custom fit product made.  A night guard not only protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth but also aligns the jaw and can even help improve sleep!
To learn more about teeth grinding, night guards, and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Bishop at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270. 

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