Night Guards
Many people grind their teeth at night, which causes their teeth to wear faster than if they were just using them for eating, biting, and chewing. Most often this is due to the stress in the world around us. Some people manifest their stress and tension in their backs, others in their necks and shoulders and still others in their jaw muscles. This habit, called nocturnal bruxism, can cause considerable damage to the teeth, the supporting bone and the jaw joint. The long-term objective would be to reduce stress and develop relaxation techniques.
In order to reduce the damage to teeth and supporting tissues night guards are often recommended. There are many types available depending on wear patterns, patient habits and preferences. They cushion the traumatic forces of overworking chewing muscles.