Bruxism is the medical term used to describe excessive grinding or clenching of your teeth. One might not be aware of this habit until symptoms start to cause problems. Nightguards were created specifically to treat nocturnal bruxism. Nightguards are soft or  firm acrylic pieces that cover the top or bottom row of teeth. They protect your teeth from the force of clenching and stop them from grinding together, avoiding headaches, broken teeth or swollen gums.

Common Signs of Sleep Bruxism

Talk to your dentist about the following signs and symptoms:

• Chipped or worn teeth
• Waking up with headaches
• Increasing spaces between the teeth.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder—inflammation of the jaw due to clenching
• Chronic grinding