What to do about nighttime teeth grinding

While many people likely grind their teeth at night on occasion, if it occurs regularly it could pose a health problem.

Teeth may become damaged by becoming worn down, loose or fractured, and it could result in the loss of teeth. Chronic grinding may also cause bad headaches, jaw pain and even change the structure of your face if left untreated.

Your dentist can help by fitting you with a mouth guard that protects your teeth during your sleep. If your teeth grinding is stress-related, it can be a good idea to see a counselor or doctor about learning how to reduce stress and anxiety.

There are three types of mouth guards:

Ready-to-wear stock mouth protectors are inexpensive and can be purchased at most big chain stores. They are often less comfortable as custom-made mouth guards and are bulkier.

Boil and bite mouth guards can be purchased at most big chain stores and often provide a better fit than the stock mouth guards. The material must be placed in hot water and then applied to your teeth and shaped, using pressure from your fingers and tongue to form the mouth guard.

Custom-made mouth guards are made in a dental office or dental lab. Your dentist will make impressions of your teeth and then a mouth guard is molded over your teeth model. While they are the most expensive type of mouth guard, they are often comfortable and offer the most protection for your teeth.

If it’s been a long time since you’ve been to a dentist and you are concerned about the condition of your teeth, due to teeth grinding, it may be time to make a dental appointment. If you don’t have dental insurance, there is an alternative that is helping many individuals and families receive substantial savings, up to 80 percent, on common dental procedures and major dental work.

AmeriPlan USA discount dental plans may be purchased immediately, with no waiting period, and there are no complicated forms to file. There are nearly 30,000 dental providers within the AmeriPlan USA network, allowing you to change dentists anytime if necessary. Specialist visits are included in the discount dental plans and even if you’ve had an ongoing dental condition, such as teeth grinding, your procedures will qualify for discounts.

To learn how AmeriPlan can help relieve your nighttime teeth grinding, visit www.familydentalhealthplans.com to learn more about the discount dental plans, which start as low as $19.95 per month for an entire household.