4402 E 32nd St Suite B, Joplin, MO 64804, United States
Night Grinding Aftercare
Many people unconsciously grind or clench their teeth at night. The term commonly used to describe this tooth action is bruxism. Most people are unaware of this habit because it happens in the deepest part of the sleep pattern.
Night bruxism can exert thousands of pounds of pressure on the surfaces of the teeth. It can be so vigorous that it causes noise which may disturb spouses or family members. Bruxism has a far more distressing effect on the sleeper. It not only damages the teeth, but also the supporting bone, gums, jaw joint and any existing dentistry. It can also cause muscle soreness in the morning and increase the frequency and severity of headaches.
For many years it was believed that nighttime bruxism was the release of tension from emotional stress. However, most dental experts now feel that a combination of factors contribute to this damaging habit.
Our dental examination indicates you have nighttime bruxism. In order to minimize future damage to your teeth, jaw bone, jaw joint or dentistry, we are recommending that a nighttime protective splint be worn. This precision appliance allows your jaw joint to go to its natural position and to balance forces equally between all of your teeth. The splint relieves the pressure on your teeth during times of bruxism so your teeth are protected from further damage.
We are concerned about your long term dental health and appearance. If you have any questions concerning our recommendations, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with us.
