Night Guard

Some people go to bed and have a restful night of sleep. Others begin to grind their teeth together the minute their eyes go shut. The side effects of sleep bruxism are detrimental to a person’s oral health and overall well-being, but the problem can be stopped in its tracks with a customized night guard or grinding guard, courtesy of Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions in Manhattan Beach, CA.

Symptoms of Sleep Bruxism

Some people know that they grind their teeth at night, others have no idea until they’re alerted by their partner or their dentist questions the condition of their teeth. Here are just some of the problems that can develop from unconscious teeth grinding and clenching:

• Broken or cracked teeth
• Damaged dental work
• Worn tooth enamel
• Sore mouth
• Aching jaw
• Gum recession
• Popping jaw joints
• Tenderness when chewing
• Headaches

The unconscious habit of teeth grinding can do serious damage to teeth, jaw, muscles, and joints. After all, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. It needs to break apart food into small enough pieces to swallow and digest. This activity, though, only takes minutes at a time and is normal wear and tear – when teeth gnash against each other during sleep for hours at a time, pain, oral health problems, and other negative side effects will result.

Reasons for Teeth Grinding

Before you can be fitted for a night guard, your Manhattan Beach dentist must conduct a dental examination and make a diagnosis about the problems you’re having. Those who have chronic sleep bruxism often develop the issue because of:

• TMJ complications
• An abnormal bite
• Excessive stress
• Misalignment
• Missing teeth
• Sleep apnea

Some people suffer from chronic teeth grinding while others only develop the problem temporarily. Either way, neglecting the bruxism can lead to inflammation, pressure, pain, and deteriorating oral health. A customized grinding guard is a fast, effective way to get long-lasting relief and protect your teeth from disrepair. Patients who want a solution without the need for a night guard may be candidates for Invisalign to treat misaligned or crooked teeth or dental implants which replace missing teeth.

Getting a Customized Night Guard

If your Manhattan Beach dentist decides that you are a good candidate for a grinding guard, your treatment will proceed something like this:

• An impression is taken of your teeth.
• The mold is sent to a dental lab.
• A week or so is needed for the creation of the night guard.
• When the guard is ready, it will be carefully fitted.
• The smooth, clear guard will fit snugly and protect upper and lower teeth from each other.

The full-coverage night guard fits securely on the top arch of the mouth and it is incredibly durable so any teeth grinding will be prevented from damaging your oral health.

Night guards for sleep bruxism are a powerful method of preventive dentistry. Teeth grinding is an extremely treatable problem that no one needs to suffer. Ultimately, a night guard is a conservative solution to a very big problem. The unconscious teeth grinding is corrected immediately once the grinding guard is in place.

Is a Night Guard Right for You?

A night guard is an investment in your oral health. Choosing this one appliance and wearing it every night protects your teeth and minimizes the chances of other more complex oral health problems. A guard can, in fact, save you from the cost of restorative dentistry since you will have fewer repairs that need to be addressed. Made of durable, clear plastic that is durable and comfortable, a customized grinding guard is life-altering for someone who suffers from the awful discomfort of chronic teeth grinding.

Find out if you suffer from sleep bruxism and if you’re a good candidate for a customized night guard. Schedule a consultation with Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions today.