Occlusal guards to protect teeth from damage caused by teeth clenching and grinding in Glen Allen, VA

Have you ever woken up with headaches, sore teeth or jaw pain? If so, does it happen often? This may be because you are one of many Americans who suffer from evening jaw clenching, teeth grinding (also called bruxism) or TMJ disorder. Dr. Olivia Hart and the team at Virginia Biological Dentistry aid patients in Glen Allen, VA who suffer from these conditions with dental appliances such as occlusal guards meant to assist with teeth clenching and grinding. Many Americans suffer from the clenching and grinding of teeth but are not aware of it due to not being able to associate these actions with their morning headaches or teeth and jaw pain.

Occlusal Guards

Too many Americans suffer from complications related to TMJ disorders that go undiagnosed. When life is negatively impacted due to teeth clenching, jaw soreness and tension headaches, it can make for a miserable experience. Occlusal guards are a wonderful option available that can help alleviate these problems. Occlusal guards can be worn day and night to help correct a number of issues including:

• Clicking, popping and locking of the jaw
• Day and nighttime teeth clenching
• Headaches related to jaw clenching and teeth grinding

Dr. Hart and her team prescribe devices to patients with a biological approach in mind. These devices are custom made for comfort and to provide relief in several areas including:

• Bite realignment
• Joint balance
• Take pressure off the teeth due to clenching and grinding
• Even bite distribution
• Alleviate daytime clenching and reminding the patient to keep the lips together, teeth apart (LTTA) as a cognitive behavioral device

Why Not Just Pick an Over the Counter Option?

There are many dentists who, before exploring a custom-made occlusal guard, will instead recommend an over the counter option to treat issues including TMJ disorders and bruxism. While these options are cheaper to the consumer, they are most often a mistake. Over the counter options are typically manufactured using a soft plastic material which you stick in the microwave or submerge in boiling water to make them pliable before biting into them to form a “custom fit”.

These options are not truly custom fit, but instead customized. They are not made for any one person but instead are designed to be used by a large range of individuals. This means you will not be getting a product that is best for your jaw or to fit your individualized needs. It will never fit you perfectly because it is meant for a large range of mouth and jaw sizes. Additionally, these products are typically made of a soft, chewy material which will not hold up to your chewing, grinding or clenching for long. You are likely to bite through this material fairly quickly and will be back at the store looking for a replacement sooner than later.

With a custom made occlusal guard from Dr. Olivia Hart, you are getting a solution custom-tailored to your specific mouth and to correct your specific problem. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from teeth clenching, grinding or other TMJ disorder that could be causing long-term damage, please reach out to Dr. Olivia Hart to discuss how an occlusal guard may be right for you. To schedule an appointment, please call Virginia Biological Dentistry at (804) 381-6238.

Dr. Olivia Hart
DDS, NMD, IABDM & ICOI Fellow & AAIP Fellow

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Dr. Olivia Hart, a founder of Virginia Biological Dentistry and a highly accomplished biological dentist, is honored to serve her community in Glen Allen, Richmond VA. She has always sought to enrich her knowledge in the field of holistic/biological dental health and to offer her patients the best comprehensive dental care possible. Her Virginia Biological Dentistry provides services ranging from biocompatible ceramic restorations, ceramic implants, and extractions with a biological protocol to treatments of sleep apnea, TMJ and other specialized bio-dental services.

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