Night Mouth Guard
Peachtree Corners, GA
Night Mouth Guard provided by Dr. Clint Baugham
in Peachtree Corners, GA at Southern Family Dental Care
 Teeth grinding during sleep, often called "bruxism," can be a major cause of tooth damage and decay if left untreated.
Dental night mouth guards, also referred to as night guards, are one of the most recommended solutions for such dental solutions as grinding of teeth and bruxism.
Though bruxism can also happen when you are awake, it may be less dangerous - as you are more likely to be aware of your actions and correct them in order to avoid harming your teeth.
During sleep, you may not be able to feel the strength of your bite or how tightly your jaws are clenched.
If teeth grinding is not treated promptly, there is a chance that you might grind your teeth down or need restorative treatments like crowns, bridges, and eventually dentures to correct fragmented or loose teeth.
A custom-fit night mouth guard may be just the solution you need. Contact us in Peachtree Corners, GA today at Southern Family Dental Care for a consultation.
Negative Effects of Teeth Grinding
While the injury to your teeth should be a major concern, as well as a reason to seek treatment for teeth grinding, there are other negative effects to note.
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It is not uncommon for people who grind their teeth to experience pain in areas of their faces or have headaches upon waking.
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If teeth grinding persists for a long period of time, you may even develop a TMJ disorder that negatively impacts your jaw.
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Teeth grinding is often stress-induced, even if it is done unconsciously. Bruxism may also be a symptom of sleep apnea which may be diagnosed with the help of a physician.
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You may also be more inclined to grind your teeth if they are not aligned correctly. |
Regardless of the reason for teeth grinding, using a mouth guard at night is the easiest and most effective way to avoid the symptoms and side effects that may transpire.
Which Mouth Guard Is Best?
When it comes to choosing the best mouth guard, you have a few options to consider.
Stock mouth guards are sold in stores and are available to the general public.
Thermoplastic boil and bite mouth guards may be a slightly better option as they can be adjusted to fit your teeth after sitting in boiling water.
Our team can provide you with the best option. By molding over an impression of your teeth with a durable, yet comfortable, material, we can create a custom-fit night mouth guard that offers individualized protection against teeth grinding.
How Does a Night Mouth Guard Work?
Customized night guards are almost always custom-made to fit the individual's teeth exactly. There are ready-made night guards bought from stores but are not as effective. Night guards are a piece of acrylic that fits over the teeth similar to how a retainer would. They cover and protect the teeth from hitting and coming into contact with each other, preventing the kind of teeth grinding that often leads to tooth wear, cracks, tooth movement, gum recession, and headaches.
How Does a Night Mouth Guard Stop Teeth Grinding?
Most people struggle with the effects of teeth grinding that happens when they sleep. This is an involuntary reaction that has several negative benefits. However, when they wear a night guard, it forms a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. This prevents the teeth from making direct contact with each other and grinding together.
How Long Do I Have to Wear a Night Mouth Guard?
Night mouth guards are typically worn throughout the night. Individuals that suffer from bruxism, which is the condition that leads to the grinding of teeth, will likely have to wear night guards for as long as they struggle with bruxism. To determine whether the bruxism has stopped, it is advisable to visit us at Dr. Clint Baugham. Signs of bruxism are often difficult to establish accurately without the proper experience and knowledge.
Can a Custom Night Mouth Guard Shift Your Teeth or Change Your Bite?
The most effective night guards are those that are custom-made for your teeth. It is natural, then, that one of the fears would be whether the night guard might shift your teeth or bite. Given that they are custom-made, they will typically not shift your teeth or change your bite. However, wearing night guards that do not fit your mouth might impact your bite negatively.
Do You Need a Upper and Lower Night Mouth Guard?
Just like the typical sports mouth guards, night mouth guards are often made for either the lower or upper teeth, protecting them equally against abrasions or wear. When it comes to protecting oneself from teeth grinding and the resultant jaw pain, dental professionals recommend that one wears a single night guard at a time. Night guards that protect the upper jaw are more common.
How to Clean a Night Mouth Guard
Night mouth guards are relatively easy to clean. Dentists recommend that they be soaked in white vinegar for at least 30 minutes, rinsed with water then soaked in hydrogen peroxide for another 30 minutes. Once finished, the night guard should be rinsed thoroughly with water again and allowed to dry off completely before being worn.
Get a Custom Night Mouth Guard Made at Your Dentist Office in Peachtree Corners, GA!
If you know that you are grinding your teeth at night, or suspect that you might be, it is important that you have a dental examination as soon as possible. A custom made night mouth guard might be able to solve the issues that you are having. Call Southern Family Dental Care at 470-410-9774 for more information. |
