Normal chewing results in brief intervals of contact between teeth. Under normal circumstances, your teeth should only contact for about 5 minutes daily. Slight wear over years of use is expected, and bite edges can chip a little.
Sometimes teeth develop a flattened, worn appearance, even in young patients. X-rays may reveal unusually thin layers of enamel as if sandpaper has been drawn across the chewing surfaces of the teeth. A few minutes of chewing daily shouldn't erode the enamel so much.
Synergy Dental Arts offers a wide range of services to meet every patient's dental needs. We provide Free Live Consultations, 3D scans, and Same-Day Service for new teeth! The latest technology is used to help you get the most out of your restorative procedures, and Dr. Kandola uses modern tools for maximum results.
Some patients develop a subconscious habit of grinding their teeth, either during the day or at night. In many cases, the abrasive action occurs only during sleep and for only a few seconds at a time. If you wake up with a sore jaw or a morning headache, chances are you're grinding your teeth during the night. In some patients, enlarged jaw muscles develop on the sides of the face from this nighttime grinding. These muscles are ounce for ounce, the strongest in the body, which means they can do a lot of unnecessary damage.
The unusual activity not only wears down teeth and strains the overworked muscles, and the compressive forces can also damage the intricate jaw joints on one or both sides. Joint damage may lead to arthritic changes, chronic pain, and popping or clicking. Once these changes settle in, reversing their condition may become impossible.
If you're waking up with a sore jaw or headaches, or you've noticed chips or flattening of your teeth, a consult with Dr. Kandola is recommended. The sooner the problem receives attention, the less damage there will be. A carefully calibrated night guard will often eliminate the symptoms while protecting your precious enamel.
Daytime habits of clenching or grinding deserve attention too. Dr. Kandola will analyze your bite and ensure they move against each other properly when you chew. Regardless of the cause, eliminating the strain on the jaw and teeth as quickly as possible can save you money and time spent in the dental chair.
Occlusal guards do not stop snoring. Snoring is caused by the relaxation of the throat muscles when you sleep, which allows for more airflow in your breathing. This can be fixed in several ways; however, there is no scientific evidence to say that mouthguards alone will solve this problem. If you are looking for a way to stop snoring, we recommend that you speak to your dentist about setting up an appointment with a sleep specialist.
Occlusal guards work by keeping the teeth from grinding. The guard will stop your teeth from meeting because of its special design. It fits each tooth individually and makes a "v" shape, which stops the front teeth from touching when they are worn as soon as you close your mouth.
Taking care of your occlusal guard is very easy. All you have to do is brush it with a toothbrush using warm water and mild soap at least twice a day. Once per week, soak the guard in a cleaning solution overnight, then rinse it off the next morning before wearing it again.
An occlusal guard usually lasts anywhere from 5-10 years, depending on the stress levels and how you take care of it.
You should expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $800 for one of these guards from a dental office.
Yes, an occlusal guard is well worth investing in because it works so well. While you are wearing the guard, you will not have any discomfort when sleeping at night.
Occlusal guards are clear plastic devices worn during sleep to prevent teeth grinding. They are used by people who brux, or grind their teeth. They are sold by dentists and some pharmacies under various brand names. Some of these include Ocusoft, Myotect, SleepRight, Dentek Softbite Nightguard, Max Guard Night Guard, and many more.
Occlusal guards and night guards are basically the same thing; yet, they do vary. An occlusal guard is a thin sheet of plastic that fits over the teeth (similar to a mouthguard) and covers them from the tongue, lips, and cheek. A night guard is more like a mouthpiece. It encases your upper teeth in a mold-like manner, except it is solid. A night guard can be worn during the day for protection, but an occlusal guard cannot.
If you grind your teeth while you sleep, then you should get either one of these products because they are effective at stopping this habit. With both of them being so similar, there is no need to worry about choosing the wrong one. We would recommend you try out both kinds before deciding which one to buy though so that you know what feels most comfortable for you.
An occlusal guard is used to prevent the teeth from grinding. It works by making your upper and lower teeth fit together like a plastic mold. There are little circles in between your teeth, which allow airflow to go through while you're sleeping so you don't suffocate. These "air holes" stop when the front teeth meet, which is why the teeth grind together. The guard prevents this from happening, which causes you to not grind your teeth.
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