Night Guard Oral Appliances

Providing a Lifetime of Dentistry that Cares

What are Night Guards?

Night guards are a specially designed mouth guard or dental appliance that helps patients stop damaging their teeth due to grinding or clenching their teeth while they are sleeping. Patients who begin using night guards commonly do so after they experience symptoms of waking up with headaches, jaw pain, and/or other types pain that cannot otherwise be traced to anything specific. These symptoms generally indicate that the individual has TMJ, TMD, or Bruxism. Generally, a person is not aware that they have this issue until a spouse or partner informs them of their nightly teeth grinding.

In addition to being a source of daily aggravation and discomfort, TMJ and TMD can also cause serious damage and eventual deterioration of your jawbone, as well as negatively affect your other teeth. In some case, these issues have even caused damage to an individual’s hearing. Fortunately, night guards have proven to be beneficial in addressing this issue and alleviating the symptoms that come with it.

At Brook West Family Dentistry, we are committed to providing our patients with the care and support they need. If you are scheduled to have this procedure and have any questions, please contact our staff to see if night guards are right for you. We are proud to provide one-of-a-kind personalized care that is tailored to your unique needs.

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What is TMJ/TMD?

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) and TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) occur when the area where the lower jaw is connected to your skull becomes injured or inflamed.

This disorder can be extremely painful, and can lead to a variety of health issues, including:

  • Bruxism
  • Arthritis
  • Lockjaw
  • Dislocation of Cushioning Disc
  • Trouble Chewing
  • Swelling
  • Jaw Fatigue
  • Face, Neck, Jaw and/or Shoulders Pain

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is the term that is used to describe patients who clench or grind their teeth while they are sleeping. Bruxism can be difficult to diagnose, and more often than not, it is the patients spouse or partner who will notice the issue due to the unpleasant sound of teeth grinding. If you do not have a spouse or partner, other signs of bruxism may include:

  • Loose Teeth
  • Fractured Teeth
  • Worn Teeth
  • Jaw Pain
  • Hearing Loss
  • Headaches
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Benefits of Night Guards

There are a variety of reasons why wearing a night guard may be beneficial to you. One of the most obvious advantages is that doing so will prevent damage from occurring to your teeth and jaw, and will improve your overall oral health. Grinding and clenching can cause extreme damage that can be incredibly costly to repair. If a tooth becomes cracked or chipped due to grinding or clenching, there are different tooth replacement options available, including dental bonding, dental crowns, and veneers.

Clenching or grinding your teeth at night can create extreme discomfort and lead to headaches, jaw pain, or general mouth sensitivity. Night guards can bring a great deal of comfort and help keep your teeth and jaw safe while you are sleeping.

Finally, night guards can also be used to treat not only bruxism, but also TMJ/TMD.

Proper Night Guards Care

It is important to follow best practices when taking care of your night guards. Here is a list of things that you should and should not do.

DO follow these best practices when properly caring for your night guard:

  • Always wash your hands before you touch your night guard
  • Always allow for some drying time before storing your guard
  • Clean your night guard with toothpaste and rinse it with water every night
  • Use anti-bacterial solution for quick rinses

DO NOT do the following:

  • Do not smoke
  • Do not soak your guard in rubbing alcohol
  • Avoid drinking any beverages at night other than water

Beyond that, be sure that you maintain good dental hygienic practices by brushing and flossing at least twice daily, and continue scheduling your dentist appointments every six months.

Associated Costs

As is the case with most dental procedures, what and how much of your procedure will be covered will ultimately be determined by your specific insurance plan. Still, many insurance plans cover night guards, although they may not cover the entire cost of the night guards. If you are not currently covered by an insurance plan, or if you have any questions about payment options, please contact our staff who will be happy to discuss your options with you.

High Quality Care You Can Trust

At Brook West Family Dentistry, we are committed to building positive, long-standing relationships with our patients. The way we achieve this is by using state of the art technologies, compassionate and carefully planned services, high-quality work, and personalized care that always places the needs of the individual client first. If you would like to meet our team, take a tour of our facilities, or discuss any questions you have concerning night guards and if they are right for you, please contact our staff, who will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Having night guards can make a remarkable difference in the lives of those with damaged teeth. Scheduling your appointment for night guards is your first step towards a confident, healthy smile. To begin your journey towards the perfect smile, please contact us to set up an appointment for night guards at (763) 561-2273.

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We offer comprehensive care for all your dental needs, from dental cleanings to full cosmetic dentistry we work improve your smile.

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