Grinding Your Teeth at Night? We Can Help!

Grinding-Your-Teeth-at-Night-We-Can-Help-update

Grinding your teeth during the night, a condition known as sleep bruxism, can impact your health and quality of life. Your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry is pleased to offer custom-fitted night guards to prevent damage to your teeth and jaws and allow you to enjoy restful, rejuvenating sleep. You can count on us for exceptional care that exceeds your expectations!

Bruxism and Its Impact on Your Health

Bruxism is characterized by repeatedly grinding or clenching your teeth, especially during the night. People with bruxism often have sleep disorders, including snoring or sleep apnea. Chronic teeth grinding can also result from stress, having an abnormal bite, crooked or missing teeth, or taking certain medications. 

Grinding your teeth can weaken them and wear them down to the point of exposing the soft pulp tissues. Symptoms of bruxism include chipped or fractured teeth, tooth pain and sensitivity, tension headaches, interrupted sleep, ear pain, stiffness of the neck and shoulders, and jaw pain, which can lead to a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). 

What Is a Night Guard?

A night guard is a mouthguard known as an occlusal guard or a nocturnal bite plate. When placed in your mouth, it creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, which helps prevent the devastating effects of bruxism on your oral and overall health. 

Over-the-Counter Night Guards

Drug stores carry various types of nightguards, including stock and boil-and-bite. Stock night guards are inexpensive oral appliances that come in one size, ready to wear. They are pre-molded and ready to fit any mouth. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are more customizable. You’ll place them in hot water, bite into them, and mold them into the shape of your teeth. 

Unfortunately, over-the-counter mouthguards don’t usually fit well and can be bulky, making breathing and talking difficult. Moreover, using these types of oral devices can cause your bite to shift because they are not custom-made for your mouth. 

Custom-Fitted Night Guards 

Custom night guards are created by your dentist from impressions of your teeth, offering the most reliable protection. They provide exceptional fit, comfort, and protection without interfering with breathing. You’ll sleep better and wake up without morning headaches or jaw pain. You’ll also protect your teeth, jaws, and restorations from damage. With proper care, your mouthguard will safeguard your smile for several years!

Custom Night Guards Near Me

Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about bruxism and its effects on your oral, emotional, and physical health. Dr. Watson will evaluate your unique needs and may recommend a custom night guard to restore your restful sleep free of grinding and pain. Call 859-689-2021 to schedule your appointment today!

Will a Night Guard Prevent Me from Damaging My Teeth?

Will a Night Guard Prevent Me from Damaging My Teeth?

Grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep, a condition known as bruxism, can pose a risk to your oral and overall health. We at Hebron Family Dentistry are proud to offer custom night guards to prevent damage to your teeth and jaws. It’s true. You can enjoy restful sleep free from grinding and pain!

Bruxism Overview

Bruxism is characterized by the repeated grinding or clenching of your teeth, especially during sleep. It usually results from stress, sleep disorders, abnormal bites, crooked or missing teeth, or taking certain medications.

Forcefully rubbing your upper and lower teeth can wear your tooth enamel to the point of exposing the soft pulp containing the nerves and blood vessels. That can weaken your teeth and cause intense pain. Symptoms of bruxism include morning headaches, earaches, tooth sensitivity, stiffness of the shoulders and neck, sleep disruptions, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.

How Can a Night Guard Prevent Damage to Your Teeth?

The most effective way to combat the harmful effects of bruxism is to wear a night guard known as an occlusal guard or a nocturnal bite plate. The oral appliance provides a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, which helps protect your tooth enamel from wear or damage.

What Are the Types of Night Guards?

Stock: These inexpensive oral appliances come ready to wear. However, they often don’t fit well and can be bulky, making breathing and talking difficult.

Boil and Bite: These night guards offer a better fit than their stock counterparts. You will first need to place them in boiling water and then bite into them for a better fit.

Custom-Made Night Guards: Custom night guards, prepared from impressions of your teeth, offer the most reliable protection for your smile. They provide a superior fit, are incredibly comfortable, and do not obstruct your breathing. Your mouthguard will provide cushioning and prevent the upper and lower teeth from grinding against one another. It will also absorb the grinding and clenching forces, preventing wear and damage to your teeth. You will sleep better and wake up without morning headaches or jaw pain, and you will protect your teeth, jaws, and any restorations from damage.

Custom Night Guards Near Me

Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about our custom night guards and how they can safeguard your smile. We are all about ensuring our valued patients enjoy healthy teeth for a lifetime! Call us and schedule your appointment today!