Nightguard – San Antonio, TX
Protect Your Smile for Bruxism
Are you waking with jaw pain? Maybe your teeth are sore? Believe it or not, but you might be suffering from bruxism. Grinding and clenching the teeth is a common problem that may not seem concerning at first, but it can be destructive if it’s not treated. In fact, you can even lose your teeth. Asking yourself, “where is a dentist near me for treatment?” Look no further. San Pedro Smiles Dental Center provides custom-fit nightguards to save your smile for the pressure of teeth grinding.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a common condition that affects many adults; however, most people aren’t aware they have it because it’s a subconscious habit that often occurs while you’re sleeping. Usually, a patient will notice symptoms that don’t appear to have a specific cause, like:
- Waking with a dull headache
- Jaw soreness
- Facial pain
- Fatigue
- Loose teeth
- Worn teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
In some cases, your spouse may notice a grinding noise while you are sleeping. No matter the symptoms, you need treatment right away to save your smile from any damage.
What are the Complications of Bruxism?
Occasional teeth grinding can be normal and typically doesn’t result in any long-term damage; however, if the issue is ongoing, it can lead to several dental problems, including:
- Broken teeth
- Loose teeth
- Worn teeth
How is Bruxism Treated?
Your dentist in San Antonio will evaluate your smile and determine the cause of your grinding, such as from an abnormal bite or stress. No matter the cause, Dr. Gonzalez will recommend a nightguard. A nightguard looks like those you wear if you’re playing sports, but it serves a somewhat different purpose.
Instead of acting as a protective barrier in case there’s trauma to the face, it adds a layer of protection between the upper and lower teeth. This provides a cushion to protect your teeth while also reducing facial and jaw pain.
Besides wearing the nightguard regularly, it’s also best to avoid anything that’s known to trigger the habit, like alcohol, caffeine, or cigarettes. In some cases, you may have an underlying issue that may also need treated, like sleep apnea, snoring, or a misaligned bite.
What are the Benefits of a Nightguard?
A nightguard is a simple and effective solution to treat frequent teeth grinding. Overall, you’ll enjoy:
- Custom-fit, comfortable solution.
- Easy adaptable.
- High patient compliance rate.
- Long-lasting.
It can take a few weeks to adjust to wearing a nightguard while you sleep; however, it’s important to stick with it. In no time at all, it will become part of your regular nightly routine, and you won’t experience any discomfort while wearing it. Be sure to clean your nightguard daily to remove harmful bacterial while also keeping foul odors at bay.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If grinding your teeth is keeping you awake at night, get the relief you need with a nightguard for bruxism. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation. We can save your smile and stop your pain.