Nightguards effectively stop you from grinding your teeth together at night, a habit that wears down teeth and can damage restorations. At Brandon Orthodontics in San Clemente, California, Alex Brandon, DDS, offers custom professional nightguards that fit comfortably and are great for sleep. If you experience morning headaches, tooth wear, and other signs of bruxism, call Brandon Orthodontics or request an appointment online for a nightguard fitting today.
Nightguards Q & A
What are nightguards?
Nightguards are devices designed to rest in your bite at night while you sleep. They prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching or grinding together. Some nightguards are available without a prescription or customization from your orthodontist. Brandon Orthodontics offers superior nightguards that are customized to fit the contours of your bite. Your orthodontist takes an impression of your bite and sends it to a laboratory where your nightguard will be made. You should wash your nightguard every morning when you take it out. You can use a toothbrush, toothpaste, and cold or lukewarm water to clean it. Brandon Orthodontics gives you a storage container so you can keep your nightguard safe and clean when you’re not using it.
What do nightguards treat?
A nightguard is a highly effective treatment for bruxism or nighttime teeth grinding. Teeth grinding may happen at night without your knowledge, but your dentist or orthodontist can identify signs that indicate your habit. Some signs of bruxism that you or your dentist might identify before you get a nightguard include:
Frequent morning headaches
Jaw soreness
Chipped or worn-down teeth
Trouble staying asleep
If you grind your teeth every once in a while in periods of stress or anxiety, a nightguard or any other treatment may not be a necessary fix. However, if it’s a chronic issue that happens almost every night, you could be putting your oral health at risk.
Which issues can nightguards prevent?
Bruxism can cause numerous real-time issues that a nightguard alleviates right away. However, a nightguard can prevent longer-term, more severe complications with your oral health and functioning too. By getting a nightguard, you can avoid: Damage to restorations Restorations like crowns, bridges, and veneers can experience damage from bruxism, just like your natural teeth. It’s costly to replace these devices, and bruxism can cause them to break when they’re still relatively new. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction Face and jaw pain, jaw clicking, and jaw locking are all possible signs of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Frequent headaches Frequent headaches can hold you back from work and affect your well-being in other major ways. Wearing your nightguard consistently can relieve some of the tension leading to these headaches. To schedule a consultation for a professional, custom-made nightguard, call Brandon Orthodontics or request an appointment online today.
