Your tooth enamel is the strongest substance in your entire body. This strong but brittle tooth layer is made up of 96% mineral content, but that doesn’t make it invincible. In fact, if you’re among the estimated 13% of people who clench or grind their teeth, you could be causing serious damage. At Watkin Dental Associates, we don’t want to see that happen to your beautiful smile.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) most often occurs at night. While the muscles and nerves in your jaw should be resting during sleep, involuntary contractions lead to clenching, gnashing, or bruxing. Did you know that human jaw muscles can generate as much as 1000 pounds per square inch force? This can wreak havoc in the mouth in several ways, if it becomes a persistent habit.
As teeth grind together or clench tightly, you could end up with…
- cracks or chips
- tooth fractures
- worn teeth
- damage to existing restorations, including fillings, dental implants, veneers, and crowns
- costly repairs.
…Not to mention the strain caused to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to headaches, earaches, migraines, and a host of other issues.
So, if you grind or clench, come see us. We can fit you with a night guard in Fitchburg to protect your teeth and your jaw from the damage caused by grinding and clenching. This small, comfortable, custom-fitted oral appliance fits comfortably over your teeth, either on your upper or lower jaw, depending on your mouth structure.
Don’t worry, it only has to be worn at night. Don’t risk your teeth. Prevent damage from grinding and clenching with a night guard. We would be happy to help you.
Yours in excellent dental health, Dr. Arnold Watkin & Associates, your family dentists in Fitchburg
