How Do Night Guards Safeguard Your Smile?

Teeth grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism, often occurs in your sleep, with impacts on your oral health and your general well-being. At Harman Dental Care, we offer custom night guards to safeguard your smile and enhance your quality of sleep. Dr. Harman and his patient-centered team are all about prevention rather than treating dental concerns after they develop. Contact our Arcadia neighborhood practice in Phoenix to get started today!

What Is Bruxism and What Are Its Causes?

Bruxism is a term that describes chronic grinding, clenching, or gnashing your teeth, usually without realizing it. While it can occur during the day (awake bruxism), it often occurs during sleep (sleep bruxism), often along with sleep concerns such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Patients often learn about this habit after their dentist detects signs of tooth wear or damage during a routine dental exam or if a partner hears them grinding at night.

While bruxism is a concern that affects many men and women, the causes of this chronic condition are not always clear. Common risk factors that can contribute to teeth grinding and clenching may include stress, anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, certain medications, hyperactivity, and tooth misalignment. If left unchecked, bruxism can place excessive strain on your teeth, gums, dental restorations, jaw muscles, and jaw joints, leaving your smile at risk.

How Does a Custom Night Guard Safeguard Your Smile?

A night guard, also known as a bruxism splint or bite guard, is an oral appliance that’s created from digital impressions of your teeth (no more gooey molds. It helps provide protection for your smile as you sleep as well as relief from TMJ pain and waking up with headaches that can’t be explained. Unlike the store-bought varieties, a custom-crafted mouthguard offers a snug fit, a precise opening of the TMJ joint to provide relief, and superior durability, making it more comfortable and easier to wear consistently and providing reliable protection for your smile.

Although a custom night guard is not a cure for bruxism, it provides a protective barrier that helps absorb and redistribute the forces of grinding and clenching along with taking stress off of the TMJ joint and associated muscles of the jawbone. This can help minimize the effects of bruxism on your smile and enhance your quality of sleep, so you wake up feeling more rested and ready to take on your day.

What Are Common Signs You May Need a Nightguard?

Signs you grind and clench your teeth may include the following:

• Worn teeth that look flatter or shorter
• Chipped, fractured, or loose teeth
• Worn tooth enamel that exposes the deeper tooth layers
• Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
• Damaged dental restorations, such as veneers, crowns, or implants
• Jaw pain or sensitivity and TMJ discomfort
• Dull morning headaches that start in the temples side of the neck or base of the skull bone in the neck
• Pain that feels like an earache with no actual ear concerns
• Sleep disruptions that leave you feeling tired throughout your day

Botox for TMJ Relief

In addition to a custom night guard, Dr. Harman may recommend therapeutic Botox injections to relieve TMJ discomfort from chronic teeth grinding and clenching. Botox helps temporarily reduce nerve signals to targeted jaw muscles, relaxing them and preventing them from contracting. This can help relieve muscle tension for some patients, improving jaw function and providing noticeable relief that can last for months.

Night Guard Near Me in Phoenix, AZ

Are you clenching and grinding your teeth in your sleep? If you would like to learn more about safeguarding your smile from the effects of bruxism, contact Harman Dental Care to schedule a consultation. Dr. Harman and his patient-centered team may recommend a custom night guard to help protect your teeth, alleviate jaw discomfort, and give you a restful night’s sleep. We invite you to call 602-840-5300 to schedule your appointment or book online today at drjohnharman.com!