How Night Guards Prevent Excess Wear on Teeth

Looking for information on night guards? Many people struggle with teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) while asleep. Fortunately, the issue is easily treatable through the use of dental night guards. It is important to understand the early symptoms of teeth grinding and visit a dentist for a dental night guard if symptoms are present.

A review of night guards for bruxism

The key to bruxism treatment is noticing the early symptoms and visiting the dentist as soon as symptoms develop. The following is a review of how night guards can prevent excess wear on teeth caused by teeth grinding. This review covers the purpose of a dental night guard, early signs of bruxism, and how a night guard from a dentist works.

The purpose of dental night guards

A dental night guard protects teeth from damage by providing a barrier between the upper and lower levels of teeth. This ensures that if jaw clenching does occur while sleeping, the patient’s teeth are properly protected. Customized dental night guards from a dentist may also prevent jaw clenching, along with other treatment methods such as orthodontic treatment and stress reduction. Dental night guards are a preventive form of treatment and can save patients money and help them avoid the need for invasive procedures in the long term.

Signs a night guard is necessary

The hard part about treating bruxism is that the teeth grinding occurs at night while asleep, which means symptoms often go unnoticed until damage has already occurred. It is essential to detect the early signs and symptoms of bruxism before the issue worsens for the most effective treatment. These symptoms include but are not always limited to the following:

• Chipped teeth
• Teeth cracks
• Worn-down enamel
• Clicking sound in the jaw
• Jaw discomfort
• Jaw stiffness
• Locked jaw

Bruxism affects teeth and jaw. The earliest signs may include stiff jaw and a clicking sound while moving the mouth before progressing into more severe jaw discomfort and dental damage.

How a night guard from a dentist works

You can start the process toward night guards for teeth grinding with a consultation with a dentist. During the visit, they may ask questions, conduct an oral examination, and order a dental X-ray to learn more about the cause and the severity of the damage to the teeth or jaw. From there, they can take a dental impression and start the customization process for the dental night guard.

How to keep your night guards clean

Patients can keep their night guards clean by rinsing them off after each use and washing them regularly, which protects teeth from damage caused by bacteria and food particles getting trapped between the night guard and teeth. If damage occurs to your night guard, contact the dentist to find out about repair and replacement solutions.

Talk to our dental team about night guards

You can talk to one of our dental professionals by contacting us today. We can address your questions and arrange a time for you to visit with our staff during a consultation visit.

Are you considering night guards in the Bridgewater area? Get more information at https://stellarsmilesbridgewater.com.

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