Four Reasons to get a Nightguard

Blossom Dental in Toronto has a solution for those of you who grind your teeth while sleeping. While you are probably unaware of it, you might just be one of the many Canadians out there currently clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep. It could be a bad habit, or simply caused by stress. Regardless, there really is no way you can prevent doing it, while in your unconscious state. Therefore, the only viable solution is investing in a quality nightguard. 

 

A nightguard is a hard plastic protective device that fits over your upper teeth. Recommended for patients that suffer from bruxism (the medical term for clenching or grinding your teeth) nightguards are routinely used by patients who suffer this nightly habit. Here are the top four reasons why: 

1.    Destroying healthy teeth: Hours upon hours of grinding and clenching your teeth are causing a tremendous amount of stress on them. Persistent grinding can cause cracks in your teeth, flatten your molars, create receding gum lines, and you may find yourself eventually losing teeth. 

2.    Restoration work: If you have had any cosmetic dentistry work done, grinding and clenching your teeth at night puts these procedures at risk. Some accidents that can occur include: breaking your crowns, or popping any fillings you may have. 

3.    Pain: Grinding over time can cause migraine headaches and pain in your shoulders, neck, back and ears. 

4.    Tooth sensitivity: The action of grinding can result in extreme tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods, as it wears right down to your tooth’s nerve. 

While many may be tempted to go to their local pharmacy or big box store for an over-the-counter nightguard product, most dental professionals recommend visiting your dentist, and investing in a custom made nightguard. Night guards purchased at a store are not fitted for your mouth; they are usually large, unattractive, poorly fitted products that could even pop out of your mouth at night during your grinding. A dentist will take into account your specific situation, what your grinding pattern is, and take impressions of your teeth so that their dental lab can make a nightguard that is the perfect match to your teeth. 

Dr. Seema Simon and the entire Blossom Dental staff combine the art and science of dentistry to keep you smiling! For more information, visit their website.