If Dr. Alexander or your hygienist suspect that you suffer from bruxism, we may recommend a bruxing splint to protect your teeth from damage. These customized mouth guards are often worn at night while you sleep, though some people wear them during the day if they struggle with daytime bruxing and clenching. A splint will not stop you from bruxing or clenching. It will, however, help to guide the jaw, to relieve or reduce strain on the muscles and jaw joints. It will also help to absorb the forces on the teeth caused by bruxism, as it acts as a barrier between your teeth. This protection will allow the damage to wear on your splint rather than on the enamel of your teeth. Because many people have this condition occur when they sleep, many people are unaware of the condition. Common signs of teeth clenching and grinding include:

• Chronic jaw pain, facial pain and ear pain
• Waking with a tired or tight feeling in the jaw
• Frequent tension headaches and migraines
• Excessive tooth wear, leading to chipped, flattened, cracked or very worn teeth
• Extremely worn tooth enamel, exposing the inner layers of the tooth
• Indentations on the side of the tongue
• Increased tooth sensitivity

If it is discovered that you have signs of bruxism, you may benefit from a custom night guard or bruxing splint. We invite you to contact us today at 402-563-4565 to schedule a consultation to learn more about night guards and bruxing splints. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care for your smile.