Nighttime tooth grinding is an elusive problem because you may not know that you are doing it, and as a result, the damage to your teeth can go on for years. We check carefully for signs of abnormal wear on your teeth: back teeth flattened, and front teeth chipped or worn. We will also ask if you wake up with sore, tight muscles around your jaws, or headaches in the early morning. If you have any of these symptoms, we will investigate further to decide if a Nightguard could be right for you. A professionally made, custom Nightguard will deter you from grinding while you sleep, and will minimize the damage to your teeth, gums and muscles
Do you or your children compete in sports such as hockey, football, basketball, martial arts, etc? Some of the worst injuries that Dr. Malloch has seen over his career occurred from sports like these. A custom sports mouthguard can minimize the risk of fractured teeth, broken jaw bones and concussions. But the mouthguard must fit your mouth perfectly to cushion the teeth and jaws, and avoid these injuries. A store-bought mouthguard is worth what you pay for it – the less expensive, the less protection it will provide.