Is your jaw sore from grinding your teeth? A dental lab can design a custom mouth guard or bite splint to wear at night or prevent daytime clenching. Bruxism is a common condition characterized by excessive teeth grinding, which can have a negative impact on your oral health and smile. Aloha Dental Laboratory in Aiea, HI, works with cosmetic dentistry offices to create high-quality, affordable, and protective pieces for patients. They share dentists’ top signs you have the condition so you know when to get one. 

Indicators You Need a Mouth Guard From a Dental Lab

1. Night Grinding 

Sleep bruxism occurs when you grind your teeth at night. Unconscious, repetitive scraping of your upper and lower jaws may cause tooth damage and pain. Some people clench while they are asleep, which leads to similar symptoms. A mouth guard or bite splint will prevent repetitive motion.

2. TMJD Diagnosis 

Some patients have inflammation caused by excessive grinding. When swelling is present in addition to symptoms of bruxism, they are diagnosed by a dentist with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). A bite splint specially created by a dental lab can be worn to eliminate its effects. 

3. Chipped Teeth 

Patients who grate their jaw for years may suffer from chipped and worn-down teeth. Wearing a mouth guard during the day or at night, depending on your dentist’s instructions, can keep you from damaging your enamel. It will also protect any cosmetic dentistry work you have. 

4. Related Headaches 

It is common for people with bruxism to wake up with headaches. Clenching your teeth from stress during the day can also cause pain in the head and jaw. If you think your migraines are from grinding, ask your dentist about your condition and if you need a bite splint.

Teeth grinding can lead to aesthetic and functional damage. It can also negatively impact your quality of life. To learn more about mouth guard and bite splint options from a dental lab, call Aloha Dental Laboratory in Aiea, HI, at (808) 947-2877. For information about their custom dentures and dental implants, visit their website, or like them on Facebook.