Bruxism or teeth grinding commonly happens when you are asleep or when under a lot of stress. Your dentist recommends a mouthguard for grinding teeth problems. Abnormal bite, crooked and missing teeth are the usual causes of bruxism.
Tight, tired jaw muscles in the morning, and teeth sensitivity could be signs of teeth grinding when asleep. Dr. Daniel Seah recommends wearing of mouthguard at night to avoid further damage on the teeth. A mouthguard is a device that covers the teeth and gums.
What are some complications of teeth grinding?
The use of mouthguard for grinding teeth at night provides patients with a more peaceful sleep. It helps them to feel good waking up in the morning without the feeling of soreness in the jaw.
The regular occurrence of bruxism can cause other oral health complications like loss of teeth and temporomandibular joint disorder.
Sleep research concluded that there is a link between sleep apnea and sleep bruxism. Sleep apnea is breathing interruption during sleep.
What is the suggested mouthguard for grinding teeth?
Many patients prefer customized mouthguards. Dr. Daniel Seah of Forestbrook Dental highly recommends this because it provides an exact fit to the patient’s mouth. He takes an impression of the patient’s teeth to guide him in making a mouthguard that fits snugly.
There is also another type of mouthguard for grinding teeth known as the “boil-and-bite.” This is store bought and comes in a pre-formed shape. Patients could alter the shape by boiling it and placing it on their mouth to take the shape of their teeth.
The recommended mouthguard for grinding teeth will depend on your preference. What’s important is that the problem of bruxism is addressed as early as possible. This prevents dental problems in the future and helps patients sleep better. Dr. Daniel Seah offers his assistance to patients who need mouthguards to resolve their problem on teeth grinding.
