Excessive jaw clenching and bruxism can accelerate tooth and jaw deterioration. Meanwhile, snoring can impact the quality of your own sleep and that of those around you. To help our patients most comfortably avoid this, we customize snore and night guards to their bite. One type of night guard acts as a cushion between the top and bottom dental arches while the other creates more space between the front teeth to prevent the top and lower jaw from touching. Snore prevention mouth pieces look similar, but instead of acting as a cushion or spacer, they keep the lower jaw forward, thereby preventing pressure on the larynx.
What are the causes of teeth grinding?
- Stress or anxiety: Stress and anxiety can lead to teeth grinding which can damage your teeth. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is the clenching or grinding of your teeth. It can happen during the day or at night while you’re sleeping. Teeth grinding can cause worn down teeth, sensitivity to hot and cold, and headaches. It can also lead to TMJ disorder which is a condition that affects the joint that connects your jaw to your skull.
- Obstructive sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a condition that affects your breathing. It can cause you to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. This can lead to a number of health problems, including daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, and heart disease. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type.
- Certain Medications or Recreational Drugs: Jaw pain is a common complication that many people experience as the result of taking certain prescription medications for the treatment of other health conditions. You should consult with your physician and dentist to determine if your medication is leading to teeth grinding.