A night guard can be a solution for dental health problems that occur at night, such as teeth grinding. The night guard is designed to stabilize your jaw and reduce the risk of developing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This blog post will discuss night guards and their benefits in detail. Read on to learn more!

What is Teeth Grinding?

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is the act of clenching or grinding of teeth during sleep.  Teeth grinding is also known as nighttime teeth clenching because it usually occurs during sleep. This nighttime behavior can cause significant damage to your teeth and even disfigure or flatten them.

Symptoms

The most common signs of having bruxism include:

• 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

Why Teeth Grinding Occurs

There are a number of reasons why people may grind their teeth. Teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety. The grinding often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. However, it can also be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.

What is a Night Guard? 

A night guard is a protective dental appliance that is worn while you sleep to protect your teeth from grinding damage. While there are plenty of over the counter night guards at the store, the best night guards are custom made in the dental office so they fit you perfectly.

The Importance of a Night Guard  

Night guards are an important part of your treatment plan. They will help prevent or reduce the damage to your teeth, jaw muscles and joints by preventing grinding against them while you sleep. When you receive a guard that is custom fit for you, they can do a good job of protecting your teeth from damage sustained while you sleep.

A custom fit is more effective than any guard you can buy at the store, because it’s more comfortable and fits better. This will not only do a better job protecting your teeth, but it will also be less noticeable to you and bothersome while you rest.

Why Your Dentist is Important

If you suspect that you’re suffering from bruxism, the first step is to come in and talk to Dr. Shane Porter about a custom-fit night guard. He will assess the condition of your teeth and give you the best fit possible. Once you have your guard in, it’s important to bring it along with you each time you come in for a dental cleaning so it can be adjusted if needed. 

If you are someone with bruxism, it’s important to monitor it. As the years continue to go on, Dr. Porter can keep measuring your custom guard each time you come in, making adjustments for a better fit or totally replacing it when needed.

How Do You Clean a Night Guard?

The night guard should be cleaned every night before you go to bed. You can clean it with warm water and your toothbrush. There are also some cleansers you can purchase that sterilizes the guard at the same time as cleaning it, however, before purchasing, talk with your dentist about what they recommend as some could be harmful to the integrity of your appliance.

How Long Does it Take for a Custom Night Guard to be Made?

The night guard will take at least two visits to your dentist, but it could take more or less depending on the specifics of your case. Your night guard may need to be adjusted at some point to make sure it’s working properly. 

Make an Appointment with Premier Dentistry of Eagle

If you have bruxism and are experiencing pain that is preventing you from getting a good night’s rest, then make an appointment with Premier Dentistry of Eagle today.  We will assess whether or not night time teeth grinding is causing damage to your teeth and jaw, as well as the best way to protect your teeth from further damage. For more information on night guards, contact our office at (208) 546-0655 today!