Do you wake up in the morning with jaw, ear, or mouth pain from grinding your teeth at night? If so, you may need a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.
When searching for the best night guard for teeth grinding, you are looking for the best dentist to create the perfect dental night guard for you. At Dorsey Family Dental, we have professionals who can help you protect your teeth and get a better night's sleep.
What Are Night Guards?
Dental night guards are custom, removable mouth guards for wearing while you sleep. Made from durable, hard plastic, they come from a mold impression taken by our dentist. The mold of your teeth will create a one-of-a-kind fit for your mouth. The dental night guard acts as a barrier between your top and bottom row of teeth. When you clench your jaw, the night guard will alleviate tension and cushion the jaw muscles. Not only will it protect you from the aches and pains of teeth grinding, but it will also protect your enamel.
Why Do We Need Night Guards?
Bruxism, or the grinding of the teeth, can be an unconscious habit that is harder to prevent at night. Excessive clenching can lead to worn down or chipped teeth. Nightly tension in your jaw can cause headaches or migraines that linger throughout the day. Dental night guards can help you control the nightly symptoms of bruxism.
Getting a night guard for teeth grinding will improve the quality of your sleep and daily life. Caring for your night guard involves simple, daily cleaning that will fit seamlessly into your routine. This preventative dental tool will improve your overall physical health. All you have to do is remember to wear it every night before bed.
What Are the Teeth Grinding Symptoms?
Signs you may need to seek out a custom mouth guard include:
- Tooth sensitivity or toothaches
- Chipped or worn down teeth or enamel
- Persistent morning head, jaw, or tooth pain
- Regular soreness of the jaw muscles
- Waking up to the sound of teeth grinding
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
What to Expect: Custom Mouth Guard Fitting
Creating a dental night guard is a straightforward procedure that takes hardly any time.
- The dentist will use a clay-like mold to make an exact impression of your mouth
- The mold, once hardened into a durable plastic, will become your night guard trays
- Once the plastic trays are ready, the dentist will have you try them on to make sure they fit securely and comfortably
- You may feel some pressure as your mouth adjusts to the plastic
- You will need to wear your custom mouth guard every night to get all the benefits of the treatment
When to Replace Your Dental Mouth Guard
Your dental night guard can potentially last several years, but here are the signs it is time to get a new one:
- The trays no longer fit your mouth
- There are cracks or holes in the material
- An improper fit is causing cuts or sores in the mouth
- Your teeth are no longer protected from damage
Teeth Grinding Prevention
If you get a night guard for teeth grinding, here are some additional ways you can cut back on grinding your teeth in your sleep:
- Relax before bed
- Avoid food with chewy textures
- Manage stress during the day
We want you to find the best "custom night guard near me" to keep the best smile. Our services at Dorsey Family Dental will help you keep that happy, healthy smile.