Dr. Jacob McLauchlin emphasizes the benefits of preventive dental care, including protecting the teeth from damage with the use of a custom mouth guard or night guard. This custom oral appliance is worn to reduce the stress placed on teeth from teeth clenching which can occur during sleep or during contact sports.
Nightguards for Teeth Grinding
Dr. McLauchlin provides thorough and comprehensive dental care for patients who suffer with complex dental problems, including teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding, called bruxism, is a common symptom of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), commonly known as TMJ. Although many patients do not realize they are grinding their teeth, there are several common signs of teeth grinding:
- Jaw pain
- Clicking or popping
- Damaged or worn teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Headaches
- Earaches
When left untreated, bruxism can cause significant damage to teeth and contribute to painful symptoms like headaches and jaw pain. Stress can be a primary cause for teeth grinding, but an underlying TMD can sometimes lead to teeth grinding. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques may help to reduce or stop your teeth grinding. In many cases, though, professional treatment is needed to correct the source of the problem and repair damage caused by teeth grinding.
Custom Sports Mouthguards
If you or your child participates in contact sports, it is important to protect the teeth from being damaged or accidentally knocked out with a custom sports mouthguard. Dr. McLauchlin recommends a custom fit mouthguard because it offers superior protection to over the counter options. Your mouth guard will be made to fit comfortably and securely over your teeth making it easy to keep in place without having to bite down and create stress in the jaw joints.