Your tooth enamel is the strongest substance in your entire body. This strong but brittle tooth layer is made up of 96% mineral content, but that doesn’t make it invincible. In fact, if you’re among the estimated 13% of people who suffer from teeth grinding or teeth clenching (bruxism), you could be causing serious damage. At Crossings Dental, as a dentist in Lethbridge, we don’t want to see that happen to your beautiful smile.
Teeth grinding most often occurs at night. While the muscles and nerves in your jaw should be resting during sleep, involuntary contractions lead to clenching, gnashing, or bruxing. Did you know that human jaw muscles can generate as much as 1,000 pounds per square inch force? This can wreak havoc in the mouth in several ways if it becomes a persistent habit.
…Not to mention the strain caused to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to headaches, earaches, migraines, and a host of other issues.
So, if you clench or grind your teeth, come see us. As your dentist in Lethbridge, we can fit you with a night guard to protect your teeth and your jaw from the damage caused by grinding and clenching. This small, comfortable, custom-fitted oral appliance fits comfortably over your teeth, either on your upper or lower jaw, depending on your mouth structure. Don’t worry, you only need to wear it at night.
Don’t risk your teeth. Prevent damage from grinding and clenching with a night guard. Contact our friendly team today! We would be happy to help you.