What Is Bruxism, and How Can ClearClub Help?
There are many synonyms for it – gnashing is the most popular, clenching is another – but the medical term for grinding your teeth and putting adverse pressure on your jaw as a result is bruxism.
Though the effect is the same, there are actually two forms of bruxism: awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. Awake bruxism is typically induced under stressful situations, unconsciously if a person is concentrating hard on a task, and other factors. So you might start to notice that while you are working hard to meet a deadline; getting very caught up in playing that new video game; driving in traffic; or taking care of the kids, you are grinding your teeth in the process.
Sleep bruxism, on the other hand, is what is known as a sleep-related movement disorder, and it is important to know the symptoms of bruxism if you’re doing it in your sleep and you may not even know it. Individuals with sleep bruxism are also more likely to have other sleep disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea, the latter of which can lead to serious health issues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the physical symptoms of bruxism are:
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose
- Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won't open or close completely
- Jaw, neck or face pain or soreness
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it's actually not a problem with your ear
- Dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
In the case of jaw stiffness and aching, bruxism is also commonly associated with temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, which in serious cases can cause significant pain.
In addition to protecting the integrity of your teeth, a dental guard worn through the day or while you sleep can provide a solution to many of the symptoms of bruxism, including jaw pain. By creating a separation between your teeth, the pressure of a grinding motion is absorbed by the appliance.
The most comfortable guards are transparent, thin, and custom-fitted by taking impressions of your teeth that are then used to create a mold which will fit perfectly. Most dentists offer custom-fit guards, although purchasing the appliance through a dental office can often be expensive, upwards of $400-$500 per guard.
As with many investments in our good health, purchasing a dental guard is something where peace of mind is important. Even if you regularly clean and protect your guard, accidents can happen – you might lose or misplace it, or experience unanticipated damage. Plus over several years of use, eventually most appliances will begin to show wear and tear and need to be replaced. Not everyone has a few hundred dollars to spare at a given moment.
Providing a cost-effective way to purchase and replace dental guards is what ClearClub is all about.
Our founders established ClearClub as not only a high-quality, low-cost alternative for dental guard users, but with an option for ongoing treatment that will not break the bank if you need to account for a worn, missing or damaged guard. The process is simple:
- When you sign up, we’ll send you an impression kit in the mail. You can make your own impressions of your teeth and ship the kit back to us; it’s very simple to use, but if you do make a mistake don’t worry, we’ll send another kit!
- We will craft your ClearClub guard from your impressions to fit your teeth perfectly, and ship it to you in its own protective case.
- A one-time purchase of a ClearClub custom guard is $95.00 – just a fraction of the standard rate for dental guards.
- PLUS: We offer a subscription option, should you want to receive regular replacements that starts at just $80.00 for your first guard. Subsequent guards are as low as $35.00 each.
Bruxism can be a frustrating condition, but it is definitely treatable. Investing in a dental/night guard can relieve discomfort as well as save you money in dental and medical bills down the line. Now with ClearClub, that treatment is easier than ever.
Daily brushing and flossing, regular dentist visits and ClearClub guards are each an integral part of your overall oral health. Give us a try today! Your teeth will thank you.
Have questions? Our customer support team can help, or you can check out our FAQ for more information.