Individuals who grind their teeth or have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues may benefit from occlusal (night) guards. Our laboratory develops appliances that are soft on the inside for comfort and firm on the outside for durability. In our office, we take impressions of your teeth, which are then sent to a lab where the guard is custom produced for a perfect fit. These professional guards given by Smith Family Dentistry, MI are considerably higher quality and more comfortable to use than those available over the counter. A night guard helps ease jaw pain and protect your teeth from damage caused by teeth grinding. Our dentists may also advise patients with crowns or veneers to wear sleep guards to protect their dental work. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with our dentist, please call us.
A night guard is a form of mouth guard used to treat bruxism, often known as teeth grinding and clenching. If our dentist or team suspects you have bruxism, we may suggest a night guard to protect your teeth and prevent teeth from grinding while you sleep. Because bruxism happens when people sleep, many people are unaware of the problem. The following are common indicators of nightly teeth clenching and grinding:
Jaw, face, and ear pain that persists
When you wake up, you may feel weary or have a tight feeling in your jaw
Frequently occurring tension headaches and migraines
Tooth wear that is excessive, resulting in chipped, fractured, or severely worn teeth
Tooth enamel that is extremely worn, revealing the inner layers of the tooth
If you have bruxism, you may benefit from a personalized night guard. This night guard will be custom-fit to your smile, allowing you to sleep peacefully while protecting your teeth. Contact us today to learn more about night guards and how we may help you avoid the detrimental effects of teeth grinding. We are committed to giving your smile the best possible treatment.