It’s important to not just brush and floss regularly but also to make sure your teeth are healthy. At Lovett Dental Katy, we provide comprehensive oral health services to all of our patients. With access to various offices, we encourage everyone to come and see us at least twice per year for regular cleanings. Sometimes, we identify additional issues that need to be addressed. This could include bruxism, TMJ, and various other problems that can be corrected using nightguards. We can guide you through learning more about nightguards and why they’re useful

What Is Bruxism?doctor shows an example of nightgards for bruxism

There are lots of ways that people deal with stress. Grinding or clenching the teeth is a dirty, involuntary reaction to stress, fear, and anger. In some cases, this is a reaction that people have throughout the day. Involuntary teeth grinding is known as bruxism.

In some cases, bruxism can also happen while people sleep. In this case, nightguards for bruxism can be helpful. According to information that has been published by the Sleep Foundation,  when people grind or clench their teeth, they can unleash at least 250 pounds of force. One of the biggest challenges of addressing bruxism while people sleep is that many people do not realize they are doing it. This is where nightguards can be helpful.

How Do Night Guards for Bruxism Work?

The goal of night guards for bruxism is straightforward. A night guard for bruxism works by placing a barrier in between the teeth. That way, instead of grinding down the surfaces of the teeth, people grind on the barrier instead. Providing this extra cushion, people will protect the enamel of their teeth, prevent jaw pain, prevent facial pain, and even help people who snore at night.

At the same time, there are plenty of options out there for nightguards. Therefore, everyone needs to work with trained oral health professionals to find the right night guards to meet their needs. Over time, bruxism can lead to severe damage, wearing down the enamel of the teeth significantly. To prevent this from happening, everyone should invest in appropriate treatment measures.

Night Guards for TMJ

Another major issue that can develop when people grind their teeth is called TMJ. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint syndrome. Some of the symptoms of TMJ include:

  • Experiencing headaches throughout the day due to the added stress that is placed on facial muscles
  • Problems related to chewing and eating due to wear and tear on the muscles of the TMJ
  • The development of jaw soreness and facial pain can lead to significant quality-of-life issues
  • Problems related to speaking due to dysfunction with the temporomandibular joint

In some situations, prolonged TMJ can even lead to lockjaw. For all of these reasons, everyone must work with a trained oral health professional. There are nightguards that people can wear that will help with TMJ as well. At Lovett Dental Katy, we are here to address all of these issues.

Contact Lovett Dental Katy for Help with Nightguards

If you are looking for assistance with bruxism, TMJ, or any other oral health issues, then Lovett Dental Katy is here to help you. We provide a wide variety of dental services, including emergency services. We will be happy to help you address bruxism, TMJ, and numerous other issues that might be corrected with a nightguard. By providing you with access to the latest equipment and our fields, we can place you in the best position to manage all of your oral health conditions. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact us today at 832-437-6477, or contact us online to make an appointment with a member of our team!