Night Guard

What is a night guard?

A night guard works by putting a barrier between your teeth and keeping them slightly separated through the night. This creates less tension and cushions the muscles in your jaw when you grind your teeth at night. Night guards also help protect the enamel of your teeth.

What are the different kinds of night guards?

At Downtown Dental Studio, your dentist can discuss the various different types of night guards available and help you understand which one is right for you. 

Soft night guards are the most common type and are prescribed for mild cases of bruxism.

Dual laminate night guards are prescribed for moderate cases of bruxism. They are soft on the inside but hard on the outside which makes them last longer.

Hard night guards, made from acrylic which makes them rigid and durable, are for patients with severe cases of bruxism. 

Downtown Dental Studio also specializes in athletic mouth guards which can be customized for patients of any age.

How can a night guard help with bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorder?

If you suffer from bruxism, which is the medical term for grinding your teeth, you’re at an increased risk of cracked teeth, jaw pain, and tooth loss. If you don’t treat your bruxism, you’re at risk of developing symptoms like:

• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Loose teeth
• Fractured teeth
• Hearing loss

Advanced cases of bruxism may also lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ can also result from arthritis or an injury to your jaw. Your temporomandibular joint is a sliding hinge joint that connects your jawbone and your skull. Patients with TMJ disorder experience pain in this jaw joint and the muscles that control its movement. 

Other symptoms of TMJ include:

• Jaw pain
• TMJ pain
• Pain around ears
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Facial pain
• Lockjaw

Severe cases of TMJ also cause a clicking or grating sensation when you open your jaw or chew. 

If you’re suffering from jaw pain as the result of either of these conditions, the team at Downtown Dental Studio may recommend a mouth guard to help relieve pain and prevent your teeth from decaying further. The practice offers customized guards that are fitted to each patients’ mouth, regardless of their age.

To learn more about how a night guard can help you stop grinding your teeth, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment today.