Nocturnal Bruxism

Clenching your teeth in a bout of stress may seem harmless, but it actually does more harm than good. Teeth clenching and tooth grinding are symptoms of bruxism, a condition in which a patient performs these actions while awake or asleep. When bruxism occurs during sleep, however, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition such as obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, regardless of the cause, our doctors at Vista Dental can recommend a dental appliance to alleviate the condition.

A patient who suffers from nocturnal bruxism can benefit from wearing a night guard during sleep. The purpose of a night guard is to alleviate pressure that is put on the jaw and to create better airflow during sleep. Wearing a night guard protects teeth from further damage and from becoming worn down, broken, or cracked. Bruxism cases can range from mild to severe, depending on which kind you are diagnosed with, treatment options may vary.

If you have questions regarding bruxism, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.vistadentalmh.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Vista Dental located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077. 

Night Guards for Bruxism

Vista Dental offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism.  Bruxism is defined as any regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth. Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight.

Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. To fit you with a custom night guard a dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. When properly cared for, a custom night guard can be used for up to 10 years!  Having a custom night guard made is an easy step to take to protect your teeth and prevent the devastating effects of long-term teeth grinding.

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.