Protect teeth, ease headaches (and much more!) with custom night guards in Clearwater and Seminole, FL
Tooth enamel is strong. In fact, it’s stronger than skeletal bone! However, imagine placing 250 pounds of force on your teeth, day in and day out. Even the healthiest, strongest teeth could not withstand that consistent level of pressure on them over the long term. If you clench or grind your teeth during sleep, you are putting excessive forces on them that they are not designed to handle. Sleep bruxism, as it’s called, can threaten your natural teeth and costly dental work. Fortunately, Boulevard Dental in Clearwater and Seminole, FL customizes night guards that effectively protect your teeth and restorations, and provide additional, quality of life-enhancing benefits.
The trouble with bruxism
Bruxers who clench their teeth and grind their jaws during sleep often times do not realize they have this condition until after a visit with one of our dentists, Drs Wujick, Moss, Kopakin or Castillo. During their regular check-up, they may find telltale signs of bruxism, such as chipped teeth, fractures, and prematurely-damaged crowns and other restorations. Since bruxism frequently occurs during sleep, patients are not aware that they are clenching or grinding their teeth. There is also a lack of awareness or control associated with bite strength. So, sleep bruxers may grind their teeth with greater force than bruxers who grind and clench during the day. Daytime bruxers tend to engage in these behaviors when concentrating deeply, or as the result of stress, anger, anxiety, or other strong emotions.
An effective, no-stress answer
Our team is trained to design lightweight yet durable oral appliances that are made to fit your mouth. These appliances, or night guards, slip over your teeth. When worn during sleep, night guards protect your teeth and restorations from damage. Our patients have also experienced many other benefits from their custom night guards, which seem to have nothing to do with the teeth. These additional benefits include:
- Fewer, less severe headaches
- Relief from neck, back, and shoulder pain
- Improvements in the frequency and severity of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
These additional, quality of life enhancements are rooted in the positive effect night guards have on the jaw joints. The above conditions represent just a few of the symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder. Night guards help to promote a healthy jaw position and bite, and also help to cushion the blow on the joint that is generated by severe grinding and clenching actions.
If you have chronic migraines, the source of your pain may be in your mouth, and relief may be available at your dentist’s office in Clearwater or Seminole, FL. Contact us today Clearwater (727) 758-2898 or Seminole (727) 308-6224.