Serving Patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville, TN
Protecting your teeth with a mouth guard or night guard is part of the preventive care that we offer at Tusculum Dental Care. Mouth guards can be worn to protect your teeth against clenching and grinding habits known as bruxism. Plus, they are custom-made, convenient, and can save you time and money by preventing costly repairs in dental work down the road.
Do I need a mouth guard?Â
The purpose of a mouth guard is to bear the brunt of trauma caused by clenching and grinding your teeth. Bruxism is most often brought on by stress. Some patients are not even aware that they suffer from bruxism, but the effects of this habit can wreak havoc on your teeth and oral health.
Bruxism causes issues including:
- Worn down teeth
- Broken, fractured, or chipped teeth
- Loose teeth
- Gum recession
- Deteriorates existing dental work
- Sore teeth
- Jaw pain
- TMJ disorders
- Pain/discomfort while chewing or biting
- Headaches or migraines
Therefore, if you experience any one or a combination of these oral health issues, then you may suffer from bruxism, and a mouth guard can protect your teeth from damage.
Why protect my teeth from bruxism?
Bruxism may not seem too bad at first, but over time it can wear down your teeth and expose the dentin layer underneath your tooth enamel. This is a problem because dentin exposure results in sensitive teeth, plus it is more susceptible to staining and cannot be whitened, unlike dental enamel. Also, dentin is more prone to developing tooth decay. Eventually, you could wear your teeth down to tiny numbs, which is not aesthetic, and leads to a collapsed bite that causes jaw pain or TMJ disorder.
It is important for your oral health to prevent damage to your teeth if you suffer from bruxism. A custom-made mouth guard can provide the protection that you need.
Process of Making a Mouth Guard
To begin the process we take impressions of your teeth, which are sent to our trusted dental lab where your mouth guard is custom-made. You will return for a second visit in which your Greeneville family dentist will ensure your mouth guard fits properly, making any necessary adjustments.
Caring for your Mouth Guard
Your protective appliance will be convenient and easy to wear. You simply wear it at night while you sleep, and remove it in the morning. Before storing your mouth guard, be sure to clean it thoroughly with mild soap and warm water. Avoid using detergents or abrasive cleaning agents as this could scratch or damage the appliance. Ensure your mouth guard is dry before storing in the storage case that we will provide you.
Be sure to bring your mouth guard with you to your routine dental exams so that we can check to make sure it fits well and is functioning correctly. Eventually, your mouth guard will need to be replaced as it wears down. However, if you notice any cracks in your mouth guard, or it gets lost, please contact our office for a new one.
If you are already experiencing the effects of bruxism, we offer solutions to repair your smile. Once we have your bruxism under control by protecting your teeth, our Greeneville cosmetic dentists can determine a treatment plan to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile again. Protect your teeth now, and save yourself money in the long run!
Mouth Guards for Bruxism in Greeneville
To learn more about bruxism, its treatment or to schedule your next visit, contact Tusculum Dental Care by calling (423) 639-7575.
We provide oral health care to patients in the areas of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville, Tennessee.