Protect Your Smile with Custom Night Guards
At Lifetime Dental and Implant Center, we understand that teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can significantly impact your oral health and overall comfort. That's why we offer custom-fitted night guards (also called dental guards or mouth guards) to protect your teeth and alleviate related symptoms. These durable acrylic resin appliances, available in both soft and hard materials, are typically worn over your upper front teeth to prevent harmful contact with your lower teeth while you sleep. For severe grinding, a lower night guard may also be recommended. Beyond protecting your teeth, night guards also provide essential cushioning for your jaw muscles.
Benefits of Using Night Guards for Bruxism
Bruxism, the habit of grinding or clenching teeth, often occurs unconsciously, particularly during sleep, and is frequently linked to stress or anxiety. This persistent grinding can seriously harm your oral health. While night guards don't completely stop the grinding, they create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, effectively preventing damage such as:
- Tooth chipping or loosening: The guard absorbs the intense forces of grinding, safeguarding your teeth.
- Excessive wear of tooth enamel: It prevents direct tooth-on-tooth contact, preserving your tooth's protective outer layer.
- Damage to fillings or other dental restorations: It shields existing dental work from destructive grinding forces.
Alleviate Bruxism Symptoms and Improve Sleep Quality
Beyond protecting your teeth, using a night guard can also significantly improve your quality of life by enhancing sleep and relieving common bruxism-related symptoms like:
- Tooth sensitivity or discomfort
- Biting of cheeks
- Receding gums
- Fatigue due to interrupted sleep
- Sore or tight jaw muscles
- Temple-related headaches
Benefits of Using Night Guards for TMJ
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are crucial for mouth movement, but teeth grinding can put immense strain on these joints, leading to a TMJ disorder. This can cause various uncomfortable symptoms, including jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, and even a locked jaw. TMJ issues can also arise from inflammation or jaw injuries. If you suspect you're grinding your teeth or experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Lifetime Dental and Implant Center. We can assess your needs and discuss whether a custom night guard is the right solution for you.
How Night Guards Ease TMJ Discomfort
Fortunately, wearing a custom night guard while you sleep offers several benefits for TMJ relief:
- Correct Jaw Alignment: The night guard helps to gently reposition your jaw into a more natural and relaxed alignment.
- Reduced Muscle Tension: By preventing clenching and grinding, it allows your jaw muscles to relax, alleviating soreness and tightness.
- Relief from TMJ Symptoms: Many patients experience significant relief from associated discomforts such as: facial pain or discomfort, neck and shoulder pain, intense discomfort similar to an earache, challenges with chewing or speaking etc.
