Who Needs a Night Guard for Grinding Teeth?
During a visit with your dentist, you may have been told you're grinding your teeth in your sleep. There are certain telltale signs that this has been happening. Your dental provider will likely recommend you wear a custom mouthguard for grinding teeth. Some of the symptoms of teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, include:
- Flattened, fractured, loose or chipped teeth
- Tooth enamel that's worn away to expose deeper layers
- Sensitivity around your teeth
- Jaw muscles that are tired, tight or unable to open and close properly
- Dull headache or pain in the jaw, neck, face or ears
- Damage to the inside of your cheek from biting
- Disruption of sleep
If you happen to notice your child is grinding their teeth while sleeping, be sure to talk to their dentist about getting a mouthguard for them. Nighttime teeth grinding is fairly common in children. Although it tends to go away when they reach adulthood, to avoid discomfort, your dentist will probably recommend a mouthpiece for grinding teeth.