An Occlusal Splint (also called a Bite Splint, Bite Plane, Night Guard or a Bite Guard) is a removable dental appliance carefully moulded to fit the upper or lower arches of teeth worn at night to reduce the amount of grinding pressure transferred to the teeth. Bite Guard offers relief for the muscles of the jaw and protection of the teeth from wear and breakage.
Teeth grinding and teeth clenching also known as Bruxism, generally occurs during sleep and can often go undetected. Bruxism is the technical term for the grinding of teeth in sleep.
Although some people may also grind their teeth during the day, for the average person, Bruxism or grinding teeth occurs in sleep at night. Often, a partner or family member is the first to notice the sufferer’s condition due to the noise associated with this teeth grindingthroughout the night. Bruxism is also one of the most common sleeping disorders in the world.
Almost everyone experiences Bruxism at some point during their lives. Stress, diet, allergic reactions and trauma can all trigger Bruxism, but for some people, it becomes a chronic habit that can lead to multiple problems for the teeth and mouth.