Night Guards for Teeth Grinding
If you grind or clench your teeth while asleep or awake, you’re one of the 10% of adults with a condition known as bruxism. Most people are unaware of the problem since it usually happens at night, leaving you with painful jaws and severe headaches by morning. What’s more, your teeth will become short overtime and harder to restore. Since bruxism happens involuntarily, it can be hard to stop. At BrightCraft Dental and Laser, we recommend night guards as a solution to negative effects of teeth grinding and clenching.
What are night guards?
✓ A night guard is an oral device that helps protect your teeth from wearing down due to clenching or grinding.
✓ It is a soft dental appliance that you can insert in your mouth and wear throughout the night to help prevent teeth grinding and avoid further loss of teeth structure.
✓ Night guards are usually custom-made oral appliances designed to fit your mouth and your unique bite.
✓ They cover the biting surfaces without causing any discomfort.
✓ By having one made by a dentist, you can achieve preventive dental care so your teeth won’t chip or crack and your muscles won’t experience undue stress.
What’s the process for getting a night guard?
✓ You will only need two brief visits to have a custom night guard when you book an appointment with us at BrightCraft Dental and Laser.
✓ During the first visit, we make an impression of your top and bottom teeth.
✓ We send the impression to the lab where your night guard will be made.
✓ There are different materials used in making night guards including soft, dual laminate or hard acrylic.
✓ We will advise you on which is ideal for you depending on your situation.
✓ The material you choose will be used to fabricate your custom-fitted night guard.
✓ On your next visit, we fit the night guard, and tell you both how to use it and how to care for it.
Who needs night guard for teeth?
A professional dentist will be able to tell if you need a night guard by just looking at your teeth. As a result, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us at BrightCraft Dental and Laser for an examination of your teeth structure.
However, you may notice signs that you’re suffering from bruxism. These include:
✓ Sensitive teeth
✓ Tooth pain
✓ Ear aches
✓ Jaw tenderness
✓ An aching face
✓ Cheek tissue damage
The signs above may indicate that you should consider night guards. However, it’s always ideal to visit a dentist at BrightCraft Dental and Laser so we can provide better guidance on which type is best for you.
When should I replace my night guard?
The longevity of your night guard depends on how much pressure is exerted on it. With proper care, most night guards last around five years or more. However, a more reliable way to know when you should replace your night guard is to check for tiny cracks. These cracks can damage your gum and are also good places for harmful bacteria to grow.
What are the advantages of night guards?
Getting night guards provides the following benefits:
✓ Night guard prevents tooth damage
✓ Reduces migraine pain
✓ Improves sleeping patterns
✓ Prevents temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
✓ Saves you money in the long run so you don’t spend on teeth repair
Book your appointment today for a custom night guard!
Are you considering night guards? At Bright Crafts Dental, we specialize in an array of dental services including making custom night guards that fit your bite so you can have better sleep. You are guaranteed of the best dental care in Burbank.
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