Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) in Houston, TX

Teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, is a habit that many patients engage in while they sleep. Brought on by stress, anxiety, and even oral factors, teeth grinding and clenching can have a serious impact on your teeth, gums, and TMJ (temporomandibular joints). In patients who have bruxism, we often see effects, like worn tooth enamel or flattened edges, cracked or chipped teeth or restorations, gum recession, and other types of oral damage. You may be clenching or grinding your teeth at night if you notice symptoms, like tooth or jaw pain, recurring headaches, or popping or clicking when opening your mouth. Though it may be a common occurrence, teeth grinding is responsible for causing a great deal of damage in the mouth and should be addressed to preserve your smile.

To manage teeth grinding and clenching habits and reduce the effects on your teeth, jaw joints, and gums, our team of dentists offers customized night guard therapy. Night guards are custom dental appliances for teeth grinding made of acrylic or other materials. They are worn while sleeping to keep the upper and lower teeth in a proper position and prevent friction of the teeth. Bruxism can affect patients of any age. If you or your family members have signs of teeth grinding in Houston, TX or wake up in the morning with a tired jaw, contact Made Ya Smile Dental and schedule a visit for a night guard consultation at one of our Houston, TX locations today.

The exact cause of teeth grinding remains unknown. However, a range of environmental, medical, and lifestyle factors are known to contribute to these clenching or grinding habits. These may include parafunctional activities, like gum chewing, genetics, sleep disorders, stress, and misaligned teeth. Habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth at night can result in an array of signs or symptoms. You may have bruxism if you notice broken or chipped teeth, loose or damaged fillings, uneven or worn edges of your teeth, or gum recession. Many patients also experience facial and jaw swelling, tooth pain or jaw tenderness, earaches, frequent headaches, and difficulty opening and closing the jaw. A TMJ and teeth grinding evaluation with our dentists can help you learn if teeth grinding is impacting your health and identify the potential source behind your condition. We can also let you know if you might benefit from the use of a custom dental appliance for teeth grinding and clenching.

Committed to personalized treatment solutions to meet your specific needs, our team of experienced dentists at Made Ya Smile Dental uses the latest in advanced techniques to custom-fit night guards for our patients. To begin your night guard process, we take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and make models of your mouth. We then send these models to our dental lab for night guard fabrication. We partner with a special dental lab experienced in creating this type of appliance and use superior materials to ensure your night guard is of the highest quality. When your night guard arrives in our office, we will bring you back to try it for a secure fit. Our team can adjust the fit as needed to ensure it functions comfortably and effectively. When you're looking at treatment for teeth grinding in Houston, TX, contact our dental team. 

Wearing your night guard as recommended by our dentists is important to protecting your oral and jaw joint health. Though your symptoms may be minimized, you should continue to wear your guard each night to maintain balanced jaw alignment and reduce the chance of oral damage. Our team will provide you with instructions on how to store, clean, and maintain your night guard appliance. Routine home care and bi-annual visits at Made Ya Smile Dental are key to keeping your smile healthy and happy after your bruxism is treated. We suggest that you bring your night guard with you to your regular dental cleaning and exam visits so that we can assess the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and make sure it is still serving you properly.

Dental insurance may offer some coverage toward night guard appliances for teeth grinding treatment. Prior to taking your impressions, our business staff will contact your insurance provider and review your list of covered benefits. If you are not using insurance or have out-of-pocket expenses, we can work with you to help you find a payment solution that fits within your budget. Made Ya Smile Dental accepts several convenient payment methods and partners with CareCredit® to offer low-interest financing plans to patients.

If you're suffering from bruxism, it could be impacting your smile and leading to oral discomfort, headaches, tooth damage, TMJ issues, and other concerns. A custom-fit night guard from our team of skilled dentists may be the solution you or your loved one needs to restore comfort to the smile and protect your oral health. Get the personalized treatment you need for a better quality of living from our caring team of dental professionals at Made Ya Smile Dental. To learn if treating your teeth grinding with a night guard is right for you, contact our family dental practice in Houston, TX, and schedule your evaluation today.