Nightguards

Do you excessively clench or grind your teeth? Chances are you are suffering from bruxism. This is a chronic clenching or grinding of teeth that may cause wear of the enamel or even lead to fracture or gum recession. To prevent this, your dentist may recommend wearing nightguards.

Nightguards are a type of mouthguard that covers the upper and lower teeth, thus creating a cushion. They are generally made of plastic or acrylic material. It is recommended that you get a custom-made nightguard from your dentist so that it fits perfectly and provides maximum protection.

Teeth grinding is a sleep disorder that affects most patients without their knowledge. Your sleeping partner can point it out, or if you go for regular dental checkups, your dentist will notice the warning signs, which may include any of the following.

• Facial discomfort
• Headaches
• Pain and stiffness in the jaw, which may lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
• Worn out teeth
• Broken teeth or fillings

The dentist will then diagnose and guide you on how to use nightguards based on your oral health and unique needs. Nightguards should be comfortable and allow cushion.  Hence, the dentist takes the impression of the teeth, which is used to customize your protective mouth gear. The material used is soft and can be worn in the upper jaw to prevent your teeth from further damage. Also, our dentists may recommend stress management therapy because stress is among the factors contributing to bruxism.