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Night Guards

Many people suffer from a condition call bruxism, more commonly referred to as teeth grinding. Although people consciously grind their teeth during the day, it is a more serious problem at night. Grinding your teeth can damage your tooth’s enamel, cause jaw pain, and even harm the gum tissue surrounding the teeth.

A night guard is a great solution for teeth grinders.

How do I know if I need a night guard?

There are several signs that indicate you may suffer from bruxism and need a dental night guard to protect your teeth.

Headache: Do you frequently wake up in the morning with a headache? Teeth grinding can place stress on the muscles in your shoulders, jaw and neck. Over time, this muscular fatigue can cause headaches and migraines upon waking up. If this is a case, you should consult with one our dentists to discuss the option of getting a dental night guard.

Jaw Noises: After placing continual pressure on your jaw bone over the course of an entire night you’ll find that it becomes sore and stiff. Long-term bruxism often leads to jaw clicking, and in more sever cases can lead to TMJ disorder.

Teeth Alignment: Continual bite pressure can cause stress on surrounding teeth. This stress can cause teeth to shift or erode. This then compromises the structural integrity of your bite force.

Vulnerability: Constant grinding will eventually weaken your teeth, making them more vulnerable to chipped or cracked teeth.

How do night guards work?

Dental night guards are similar to a normal mouth guard in function. It provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth, and then send the impression off to a lab to have your custom night guard made. Night guards are very durable, often lasting over 10 years.

Advantages of night guards

Wearing a night guard can help –

  • Prevent tooth damage
  • Ease pain in the neck and shoulders
  • Improve breathing
  • Reduce headaches
  • Decrease jaw pain
  • Maintain tooth structure – reduce susceptibility to chipped or fractured teeth

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