Can braces help with teeth grinding? | GO Orthodontics (2024)

FAQs

Can braces help teeth grinding? ›

If you've been told you're a teeth grinder, you may wonder if orthodontic treatment can save your teeth from their nightly assault. Braces and Invisalign can help you reduce or stop grinding at night if your teeth or jaw are misaligned.

The Mayo Clinic points out that braces are generally very effective for people who use them, but their effectiveness depends on the person and their ability to carefully follow their orthodontist's instructions.

Custom-fit night guards are still an option if you have braces, but they can be a more complicated solution. Custom-fit night guards are designed to conform to your teeth very snugly, so you'll likely go through a few different night guards before you get your braces off.

Dentists often outfit bruxism patients with nightguards (retainer-like instruments worn in the mouth overnight) to prevent damage to the teeth and mouth, but the device doesn't stop the grinding.

You can't always stop yourself from teeth grinding or clenching, especially if you brux during sleep. But there are steps you can take to reduce your overall risk: Practice mindfulness to reduce daily stress. Get regular dental checkups.

The main purpose of the molars is to chew, grind and crush food, and they generally are not used to cut or tear food. Molars are able to place the highest amount of pressure onto food, which is why they are so successful at accomplishing their role.

Retainers keep the teeth aligned

One main distinction between a night guard and a retainer is that the latter is used in orthodontics, whereas the former is not. The retention phase is vital to the success of orthodontic treatment.

No, you should not use a build and bite mouth guard with your braces. It may wrap around the braces and get stuck in place, or cause damage to the braces. Also, keep in mind that the teeth are continuing to move, so you do not want to have a mouthguard specifically molded to your teeth as they are changing.

So, can we restore your teeth from damage caused by bruxism? Luckily, in most cases, the answer is still yes. Although ideally patients should seek out their options to reduce clenching or grinding their teeth before getting dental treatment, it is still possible to restore your smile if bruxism is not that severe.

Can teeth clenching be cured? ›

While there is no cure to completely stop teeth grinding, treatment can reduce its frequency. View Source , decrease its impact, and relieve symptoms. In addition, home care tips can make it easier to cope with sleep bruxism.

Misaligned or improperly positioned teeth can contribute to bruxism as the jaw seeks a more comfortable resting position. Invisalign treatment aims to address such misalignments by gradually moving the teeth into their correct positions.

Heavy grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw (also called bruxism), is another major cause of loose teeth. Grinding or clenching puts an unexpected amount of pressure on the teeth and can often cause a tooth to become loose, especially when there's an underlying problem like infection or decay.

Dentists recommend mouth guards for many different reasons. You might need one if you: Grind or clench your teeth (bruxism). Play contact sports such as football, basketball, hockey, soccer or boxing.

Clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism) is a common activity that can occur both during the day and at night. Some prefer to split these concepts into separate behaviors while others group them together. Grinding or bruxism involves moving the jaw with the teeth held together.