How Do You Know If You Need a Mouth Guard?

Grinding your teeth also medically referred to as bruxism, can end up being a serious problem when it is not treated. It can be hard to know if the grinding of your teeth is a lifelong habit or is new to you. Usually, you won’t realize that you grind your teeth as it happens when you are sleeping.

Consequences of continually grinding your teeth: 

• Premature loss of enamel
• Fractured teeth
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Migraine headaches
• Gum recession

You should visit your dentist in Edina about a mouth guard if you experience any of the following.

You Chipped a Tooth

A chipped tooth requires visiting your dentist to repair the issue, but it can also indicate that the grinding of your teeth is more serious than you thought. When your teeth start grinding there is a lot of pressure put on the enamel, which could lead to the damage of your teeth and the loss of the enamel can lead to your teeth becoming sensitive. If you have chipped one tooth you should visit your dentist to discuss wearing a mouth guard before acquiring further damage.

Chronic Grinding

Some people grind their teeth due to temporary problems, such as dealing with a lot of stress. Chronic bruxism occurs when you grind your teeth most nights, which signals that you should visit your dentist regarding mouth guards in Edina. A mouth guard might not stop the clenching of your jaw, but it can help in minimizing any negative effects of grinding your teeth every night.

You’ve Woken Up with a Headache

Have you been waking up with a terrible headache every morning? Your headache could be the result of grinding your teeth throughout the night. Headaches from grinding your teeth are typically located around the sides and the back of your head caused by the pressure put on your jaws. Visiting a dentist at a dental office in Edina for a mouth guard might not fully stop you from grinding your teeth, but it could help. Your dentist will be able to go through all the available options with you and ways that can help you minimize your teeth grinding.

You Have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular joint disorder occurs when muscles surrounding your jaw have become inflamed. This can happen as a result of clenching and grinding your teeth together. When you visit the dentist and they diagnose temporomandibular joint disorder, make sure to ask them about a mouth guard as a mouth guard can help in reducing some of the pain while preventing you from clenching and grinding your teeth.

You Wake up with Jaw Pain and Facial Soreness

When you grind your teeth, your facial and jaw muscles are put under a lot of stress. In the mornings, you might feel as though your jaw is stiff and experience an ache in your teeth or face. You may feel that it’s difficult to chew your food or open your mouth and might even hear a popping or clicking sound when you chew or talk.

A custom mouth guard from your dentist sits over your teeth to protect your teeth from clenching or grinding. It doesn’t fully stop you from clenching or grinding your teeth, but it, however, helps in shielding and cushioning your teeth from the excessive wear of grinding and clenching.

Stress and anxiety often cause bruxism and it’s unfortunately not something you can have a lot of control over. To find out more about mouth guards near you, contact your dentist’s office to schedule an appointment. Together, you can find a solution to prevent pain and damage that your teeth grinding is causing you.