Jaw Ache or Pain?

If you think you grind your teeth, mention it at your next dental visit. Your dentist will look at your teeth and talk about possible treatment options that may include: restoring tooth damage, fixing fillings that are too high or creating a bite splint for you to wear at night.

A bite splint (otherwise known as an Occlusal Splint) is a removable dental appliance that is moulded to fit the upper arch of your teeth. Wearing a splint at night prevents the upper and lower teeth from making contact.

To create a well fitting bite splint, an impression is taken of your teeth. The splint is worn at night to reduce the amount of grinding pressure transferred to the teeth. It offers relief for the muscles of the jaw and protection of the teeth from wear and breakage. Wearing a splint may take a little while to get used to, but it should feel completely comfortable within a few nights.