Mouthguards, Bruxism, & TMD in Chinook Centre

Grinding your teeth in your sleep can lead to serious pain in your jaw joint and other unpleasant effects. Protect your teeth and save yourself from daily discomfort with a mouthguard.

Request an appointment and visit us in the Chinook Professional Building for your custom mouthguard fitting.

What Is Bruxism?

Many of us grind our teeth at night and don’t even know it. This condition (which is also called bruxism) slowly wears the teeth away, causing them to get shorter and weaker. Patients suffering from bruxism often find that their teeth have taken on a flattened, roughened look. In some cases, teeth-grinding can become so severe that the patient wears through the enamel, exposing the tooth’s sensitive dentin interior.

Patients who grind their teeth may also experience pain in their TMJ (temporomandibular joint), which could eventually lead to TMD (temporomandibular disorder).

Protecting Teeth With Mouthguards

The best way to prevent permanent damage due to bruxism is through an acrylic splint or bite guard appliance. The appliance is designed to fit on the biting surface of the upper or lower teeth. While the mouthguard doesn’t stop you from grinding your teeth, it does protect your teeth from damage and absorbs the force to alleviate stress on the jaw joint.

What Is TMD?

TMD or temporomandibular disorder is an umbrella term we use to describe chronic jaw pain and movement issues. Since it refers to a variety of issues, TMD can develop as a result of a variety of sources, including joint disorders like osteoarthritis, injuries to the joint or surrounding muscles, or problems with the shape of the joint.