Night Guards

Bruxism and Why Use a Night Guard?

If you notice your jaw muscles feeling tired in the morning or your front teeth becoming flattened, you may be experiencing teeth grinding, known as (bruxism). 

There are no simple cures for teeth grinding, especially nighttime grinding and clenching, as it is a subconscious issue. Stress can contribute to this condition, but telling you not to grind isn’t a very good solution.

A good reason to think about protecting your teeth when you know you’re grinding teeth is that it can shorten the appearance of your smile, cause cracks to the teeth or fillings, and irritate your gum or cheek tissues.

 

The most common way dentists treat teeth grinding is by recommending a nightguard. Custom-fitted nightguards are thin yet strong with the clear acrylic that is used. When adjusted correctly, they can be quite comfortable. There is always an adjustment period to wearing a nightguard if you’ve never used any sort of retainer overnight.

Night Guard

Night Guard Maintenance

Maintaining your night guard will give you years of use and therapy. It’s important to protect your investment to give you the best long-term results, relieve your jaw pain, and prevent chipped teeth. DO :
  • Wash, brush, and rinse your night guard before and after inserting in your mouth.
  • Store your night guard in a secure place when not in use (away from pets)
Night Guard
Night Guard
DON’T:
  • Do not use or soak your night guard in rubbing alcohol
  • Do not drink any beverages other than water before bed and placement of the nightguard
  • Do not smoke with your night guard in place
Also, it’s a good idea to stay up on your daily oral hygiene practices. Flossing and brushing every day while coming in for your regular 6-month cleanings and checkups

Family Dentistry

At River’s Bend Family Dental, we create a comfortable environment to address the unique dental needs of your family.

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Associated Costs

If you do not currently have an insurance plan, let our staff know, and we can give you options and plans that make night guards affordable and attainable. Otherwise, all insurance policies have different coverages. Feel free to check the specifics of your policy or let us know if we can help you obtain more detailed information.