A night guard is a mouthpiece worn at night to prevent teeth grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism. This unconscious habit can cause damage to the teeth and jaw. It can even erode the dentin and expose the nerves.
A functional night guard is made from a dental impression and covers the entire upper arch of the teeth. These are thicker and rigid than boil and bite west houston night guards, and offer the best protection against bruxism.
Custom-made
If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches or chipped teeth, you may be clenching and grinding your teeth at night. This is a condition called bruxism. It is a common problem that can cause serious dental and health problems. A custom-fitted mouth guard from our Upper Kirby dentist can provide relief and protect your teeth from damage.
Stock mouth guards are inexpensive and available in a variety of sizes at most pharmacies, sporting goods stores and big box retailers. However, they are bulky and may allow excessive teeth clenching and jaw movement, which compromises protection. They also require regular trimming with scissors to size them down for better fit.
Custom mouthguards are created by a dentist using impressions or digital scans of the patient’s teeth and occlusion to create a model that is perfectly fitted for the wearer. This method ensures the guard is comfortable and provides a good fit, allowing the wearer to forget about it during play.
Boil and bite
If you have unexplained jaw pain or headaches, you may be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw while you sleep. This unconscious habit, known as bruxism, is detrimental to the health of your teeth and can lead to serious dental problems that require expensive treatments. A custom-fit night guard from MINT dentistry can alleviate the pressure and discomfort associated with bruxism while protecting your teeth from further damage.
Over time, bruxism can cause your teeth to grind and chip and even crack down to the root. These problems can be exacerbated by caffeine, stress, sleep apnea, or smoking. Night guards can also help prevent temporomandibular joint disorder, which can result in pain around the ears, head, and neck.
Boil and bite west houston night guards are easier to make and less expensive than custom-fitted ones. However, they often do not fit well and are prone to breakage. They are also limited in the amount of protection they provide, as they only cover the front teeth.
Non-functional
A non-functional west houston night guard is a mouth protector that does not offer any dental protection. It is typically made out of a thin plastic material that is fitted to the teeth but does not actually bite into them. These guards are available at most major sporting goods stores and pharmacies. They are also often recommended for people with bruxism, which is the uncontrolled clenching and grinding of the teeth while asleep or awake. The disadvantage of stock guards is that they are sized based on a “one-size-fits-all” approach and require regular trimming with scissors for proper fit. This compromises their ability to provide any kind of effective protection against collision sports.
Cost
If you grind your teeth at night, the resulting wear and tear can lead to serious dental problems that require expensive treatments. One of the most common problems is cracked teeth. Fortunately, this is easily preventable by wearing a night guard while you sleep. We offer a range of custom-fit appliances that are designed to protect your teeth from the excessive pressure caused by clenching and grinding your teeth at night. We will also give you special care instructions on how to clean and maintain the appliance, so it can last as long as possible.
In addition to preventing damage from bruxism, a custom night guard can also help reduce snoring and sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment at MINT dentistry today to learn more about how we can help you achieve a healthier smile and avoid the costly consequences of nocturnal bruxism. We look forward to helping you! *Individual results may vary from person to person.