According to the National Institutes of Health, roughly 13% of adults suffer from sleep bruxism. This condition, which is categorized as chronically grinding or clenching your teeth, can negatively impact your smile in multiple ways, including wearing down your teeth prematurely. The good news is that our team at South Ridge Dental has a solution for patients in Lincoln: a nightguard. To learn all about this appliance and how it can help save your smile, read on or schedule a consultation with our team.
Since bruxism often occurs while you doze, you may not even realize that you are grinding or clenching your teeth each evening. One of the best things you can do is familiarize yourself with the symptoms. That way, you can schedule an appointment with your dentist before the damage has been done. With this in mind, here are a few things that may indicate you have bruxism:
From sportsguards to sleep apnea devices, there are several appliances designed specifically to protect your teeth. Of course, nightguards are one of them. Acting as a cushion, your nightguard will cover your teeth from the grinding and clenching that would’ve otherwise damaged your teeth and caused tension in your shoulders, neck, and jaw. As a result, this small device can have a big, positive impact on your overall quality of life.
While the mouthguards available at your local store are certainly cheaper, they ultimately aren’t the best choice. In addition to being crafted from weaker materials, their one-size-fits-all makeup means they are a potential choking hazard. Simply put, the best way to truly protect your smile is by getting a custom-made nightguard from our Lincoln dentist.