Functional Dentistry Solutions
Some people wake up in the morning with a dull headache or jaw pain. This can be caused by bruxism – the habit of unconsciously grinding your teeth while sleeping. Dallas dentist, Dr Michael Rosellini, has successfully assisted numerous patients in the treatment of bruxism and TMD (temporo-mandibular disorder).
Bruxism is a habit that is not only painful to the patient, but it may be annoying to one’s partner when he or she hears the grinding or chomping of teeth throughout the night. Beyond the head or jaw pain often caused by bruxism, damage may be caused to the teeth by the constant grinding: cracks, fissures, chipping, weakening and removal of protective tooth enamel that can lead to increased sensitivity to cold and heat.
You may be wondering what causes bruxism. Although at this point in time the exact cause hasn’t been determinately discovered, it is generally believed to have a few causes: stress, poor tooth positioning and sleep trouble. There are many solutions that can be considered to handle bruxism. Stress reduction, such as walks before bed, warm baths, etc. are workable options. Another solution depending on a patient’s situation may be tooth reshaping to make them fit together better.
An option many patients consider to keep their teeth safe from the tooth damage caused by grinding is called an occlusal guard, or a nightguard. A nightguard is shaped by a dentist so it fits most comfortably. It is placed on one jaw – generally the bottom – and it acts a protective layer between the two sets of teeth. Nightguards look similar to mouthguards, but are much less bulky and act only as protection for grinding. It is a good idea to use a nightguard to avoid major, permanent damage to one’s teeth that is often associated with bruxism.
Playsafe Mouthguards are custom made oral protection for adults and children. They are recommended by schools and sports associations and are worn by professional sports teams.
If you or your child participates in any kind of physical sport there is a risk of dental damage. Mouthguards are like the crash helmets of teeth and are almost universally worn in contact sports such as Boxing, Rugby, Hockey, Lacrosse and Martial Arts.
Playsafe mouthguards are custom made to be of an exact fit from moulds taken by dentists. And they come in a huge range of designs and colours for you to choose.
