» Night Guards

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  Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the teeth and typically includes the clenching of the jaw. It is an oral activity that occurs in most humans at some time in their lives. In most people, bruxism is mild enough not to be a health problem. While bruxism may be a diurnal or nocturnal activity. Bruxism during sleep causes the majority of health issues; it can even occur during short naps. Bruxism is one of the most common sleep disorders. Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it’s important to seek regular dental care by trained professionals.
  A dental guard or splint can reduce tooth abrasion. Dental guards are typically made of plastic and fit over some or all of upper and/or lower teeth. The guard protects the teeth from abrasion and can reduce muscle strain by allowing the upper and lower jaw to move easily with respect to each other. Treatment goals include: constraining the bruxing pattern to avoid damage to the temporomandibular joints; stabilizing the occlusion by minimizing gradual changes to the positions of the teeth, preventing tooth damage and revealing the extent and patterns of bruxism through examination of the markings on the splint’s surface. A dental guard is typically worn during every night’s sleep on a long-term basis.