Many people who grind their teeth at night are unaware of it. The evidence appears in the mouth instead: flattened biting surfaces, small chips along the edges, teeth that ache in the morning, or a jaw that feels tired.
Grinding often goes unnoticed until someone else hears it or an examination finds the wear. Any of the following are worth raising at your visit.
A guard absorbs force that would otherwise be applied directly to the enamel and existing restorations. Some patients also find that jaw muscles settle once the teeth are no longer locking together through the night.
A custom guard is made from a scan or impression of your own teeth and adjusted so the bite meets evenly across it. An unevenly loaded guard can make jaw symptoms worse, which is why an examination comes before a guard is provided.
Request an appointment and our team will follow up to confirm a time, or call 909.283.3130. An examination is required before a treatment recommendation can be made.
Request AppointmentMany people do not notice it directly. Morning jaw soreness, headaches, flattened or chipped tooth edges, and reports from a partner are common indicators. An examination can identify the characteristic wear pattern.
A custom guard is made from a scan of your own teeth and adjusted so the bite meets evenly across it. An over-the-counter guard is bulkier, wears faster, and may load the bite unevenly, which can worsen jaw symptoms in some patients.
A guard protects the teeth from the forces involved rather than stopping the behavior itself. Some patients notice jaw muscles feel more comfortable, but the underlying grinding may continue.
That depends on how heavily you grind. Guards wear over time and are checked at routine visits, then adjusted or replaced when the material has worn through or the fit has changed.
Rinse it after each use, clean it as directed by our team, and store it dry in its case. Bring it to your appointments so we can check the fit and the wear.
