Ghasaq Al-Bakkal, DMD, is a London, Ontario, dental practitioner who guides Belmont Dental Clinic (belmontdentalclinic.ca), where he emphasizes the importance of regular checkups. Ghasaq Al-Bakkal, DMD’s areas of focus include soft and hard tissue management. He also fits night guards that protect the teeth while sleeping.

Bruxism is the (often unconscious) grinding or clenching of teeth throughout the night. Symptoms include jaw pain and headaches upon waking, worn tooth enamel, and generally sensitive teeth. Risks over the long term include serious fractures to the teeth.

A night guard protects against teeth grinding by providing a protective layer situated between the lower and upper teeth. This ensures that even when the teeth are clenched at night, they do not suffer from direct grinding and damage.

If you have a suspected case of nighttime bruxism, it is important to contact a qualified dentist immediately and make an appointment to take dental impressions. These are sent to an outside laboratory and used to make a sleeping mouth guard that allows for comfortable sleeping and breathing. Keep in mind that the cost of such a mouth guard, while substantial, is far less than the cost of restorative dentistry.