Teeth Grinding and Nightguards
Most people who grind do not know it until the damage shows up on an X-ray.
Signs of bruxism
Morning jaw soreness, tension headaches, flattened or chipped tooth edges, and a partner who hears grinding at night.
What it does
Nighttime forces can far exceed normal chewing pressure. Over years that wears enamel, cracks teeth, fractures fillings and strains the jaw joints.
Why store-bought guards fall short
Boil-and-bite guards are bulky, fit loosely and can actually encourage more clenching. Many patients spit them out overnight.
A custom guard
Made from a scan of your teeth, a custom nightguard distributes force evenly and is thin enough to sleep in. It is far cheaper than repairing the damage it prevents.
Written by the team at Uptown Dentistry, led by Dr. Nicki Tajalli, DDS, in Uptown Houston. This article is general information, not a substitute for an exam.