Grinding & Clenching Your Teeth

People who grind and clench their teeth are called bruxers. These individuals grind their teeth too hard when they sleep. During sleep, the biting force can be up to six times greater than during waking hours. A Bite Appliance takes the punishment that your teeth would normally endure, to minimize the damage from grinding.
This behavior may cause:
*Chipped front teeth
*Broken teeth or cracked fillings
*Sore head and neck muscles,

Common causes:
Caffeine, emotional stress, anxiety, an uneven bite or missing teeth..
Symptoms:
Fractures of teeth and fillings, teeth sensitive to cold & pressure, worn cusp tips
and chipped front teeth, gum recession & root erosion, headaches and neck aches.
Treatment:
The condition of clenching and grinding is managed with:
- A Bite Appliance with a Balanced Bite
- Bite Adjustment (equilibration)
- Relaxation techniques
- Daily exercise

A Bite Appliance takes two appointments:
First Appointment: impressions of your teeth are taken.
Second appointment: the Bite Appliance will be fitted and bite adjusted.
The Lifespan of a Bite Appliance is one to five years. It can protect you from the symptoms of teeth grinding if you wear it regularly.

“Boil N Bite” Sports Mouthguards are not designed for this use. They can make problems worse because they do not have a balanced bite. Also, they are not comfortable enough to keep them in the mouth the whole night.

Timothy Nugent DDS
Family & Cosmetic Naperville Dentist	630.579.1600