Do I Need a Night Guard for Teeth Grinding?
Yes, you’ll need to start wearing a night guard if you grind and/or clench your teeth. Otherwise, you’ll increase your risk of needing emergency dental care in the future if you chip or crack a tooth.
Signs of include morning headaches, jaw pain, sensitive teeth, and worn tooth enamel. But did you know that most people aren’t even aware that they grind their teeth at night?
It’s usually not until their dentist or partner brings it up that they seek treatment. For example, your partner may hear your teeth squeaking at night.
Here’s what you need to know about getting a custom night guard.
Avoid Worn Tooth Enamel
Teeth grinding (also called bruxism) is a condition that causes you to grind and/or clench your teeth. This is often done unconsciously while you sleep and can be triggered by stress.
Over time, the pressure from grinding your teeth will chip and wear away at your enamel. Once you lose your enamel, it’s gone forever. The only thing you can do is strengthen whatever enamel you have left and wear a night guard to prevent further damage to your smile.
A night guard is an oral appliance that you wear while you sleep. The protective material prevents your upper and lower teeth from making contact.
Prevent a Dental Emergency
There’s never a good time to have a dental emergency. That’s why we do everything in our power to protect your oral health. This includes recommending that you wear a custom night guard if we detect any .
A dental emergency may be expensive, depending on your insurance coverage. It may also cause you to miss time from work.
Ask About Getting a Custom Night Guard
You can buy a night guard over the counter but we should warn you that they’re “one-size-fits-all.” As a result, the night guard may fit a little too big or small in your mouth.
Over time, wearing a night guard that doesn’t fit well can move your teeth and affect your bite. Even just a few millimeters of tooth movement can affect your chewing.
Likewise, you may remove an uncomfortable night guard unconsciously in your sleep. This may be the case if you find your night guard on the floor when you wake up.
A night guard only works when you wear it.
If you avoid wearing your night guard because it’s uncomfortable, you’ll continue to grind and clench your teeth.
The best alternative is to get a custom night guard from one of our dentists.
During your appointment, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab. From there, the lab will create a custom night guard that fits the unique contours of your teeth and gums.
The result is a comfortable night guard you’ll actually wear.
Request an Appointment With Us
Do you suspect you may have bruxism? If so, it’s time to consult with one of our family dentists in Shelby Township, MI. To schedule an appointment with us, call the dental office of Frank P. Ruffino DDS at (586) 799-4240. We’d be more than happy to help!
