Nightguard and Mouthguard

Do you suffer from headaches, an aching jaw, or even a stiff neck and upper body pain? It could be caused by bruxism or TMJ disorder. This disease causes:

• excessive pressure to be placed on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding tissues, altering their position.
• the jaw to twist into a strained position, further affecting the muscles in the face, back, neck and shoulders.

We often find that our patients with TMJ also suffer from bruxism, a common cause of the syndrome. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is unconsciously clenching or grinding down with too much force at times when you wouldn’t normally be chewing or biting anything, such as when you are sleeping or working. It can happen night or day and is quite common in most of the population, most frequently among women and can be caused by chronic stress or a variety of medical conditions. 

Nightguard: A custom made nightguard is a very effective way to prevent complications related to bruxism or TMJ disorders. It is typically suggested for people who have:

• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
• Jaw pain
• Muscle tension
• Thin/brittle enamel
• Wear and erosion

If your teeth are undergoing too much stress and friction over time, they might start to chip, crack and gradually shorten. Headaches are also a very common side effect. Damages to the teeth are irreversible and usually expensive to repair. Let your dentist know if you have any of the listed issue and they will evaluate your need for a nightguard, prevention is better than cure! The more you wear your appliance, the more you protect your teeth – and the better you feel!

Mouthguard/Sports guard: If you play contact sports (hockey, football, basketball, boxing, etc.) or participate to any high risks activities, the mouthguard should be your best friend. This custom made dental appliance will absorb the majority of the shock, blow or trauma instead of your teeth and will greatly reduce the risk of getting a tooth knocked out.