Safeguard Your Teeth and Jaws from Teeth Grinding and Jaw Disorders

Life hands us plenty of stress, and many people feel they have no choice but to muddle through it. However, our bodies often react to everyday pressures in surprising ways. For instance, many individuals grind their teeth—often without realizing it—a habit dentists refer to as bruxism.

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Signs You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth

Are you a grinder?

Most people are unaware that they are clenching or grinding their teeth. Dentists and dental hygienists are often the first to notice the signs, which can include chipped or cracked teeth and worn or damaged spots along the edges of the teeth. While many grind their teeth at night, others may also clench or grind during the day, especially when feeling tense, worried, or pressured.

If you are grinding your teeth, you might notice:

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Pain or tenderness in your jaw

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Dull headaches

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Plugged, painful, or itchy ears

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Neck pain

Is Stress the Only Cause of Teeth Grinding?

Though bruxism is commonly associated with stress, it can also be caused by:
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Sleep disorders

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Misaligned teeth

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Missing or crooked teeth

Taking Steps to Protect Your Teeth

If you grind your teeth, it’s important to protect them from the damage this habit can cause. Your dentist at Dublin Dental Care may recommend a night guard to safeguard your teeth while you sleep. A custom night guard, created from a special 3D scan and printed copy of your teeth by our dentists, will provide the closest and most comfortable fit. While night guards are also available online and in stores, they may not offer the same level of protection and comfort as a guard specifically made for you by our dentists.

It’s important to note that night guards are not the same as sports guards, which are designed to protect your teeth during activities like skiing, skateboarding, or playing contact sports such as hockey, football, baseball, or basketball. Sports guards typically have extra cushioning, making them less comfortable for sleeping.

Schedule your night guard appointment today!

How to clean your night guard

You can clean your night guard right after you brush your teeth with the same toothpaste you just used or a non-abrasive soap like dish soap. Make sure you let it completely dry before storing it in the case or it can develop mold.

Can you wear a night guard with braces?

If the night guard is specially made to fit over your braces, then yes, you can wear a night guard when you have braces. Generally speaking, we don’t create these since braces are temporary, but if we find that teeth grinding is an issue while also having braces, we can accommodate as necessary.

Can you wear during the daytime, during non-sport activities?

While yes you can wear it during the daytime, if you’re grinding is severe and you feel like you need to wear it during the daytime, it’s likely we should have a conversation on how to better address teeth grinding as a whole.

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Why Choose Dublin Dental Care?

Our entire staff is highly praised by our patients and guests for their professionalism, knowledge, personality, and friendliness. At Dublin Dental Care, we aim to provide a more relaxing experience to help ease any tensions or reservations you may have about seeing the dentist. When you arrive at Dublin Dental Care, you are not only met with welcoming faces, but also a catalog of complementary amenities to further enhance your comfort and experience. And when it comes to the equipment we employ, Dublin Dental Care invests in only the most advanced dental technologies to provide you more services and better convenience which ultimately ensure a long-lasting, healthy, and beautiful smile!