A night guard is an appliance that fits over your teeth and is worn as a protection and prevention device. Night guards can be found over the counter, but the best kind will be one that is custom made from our durable acrylic by our North Houston dentist.
Benefits of Wearing A Night Guard
With their many benefits, there are different reasons why we may recommend that you should wear a night guard. Some of the examples include:
Night Guard For Teeth Clenching and/or Grinding – Some people have the tendency to clench and/or grind their teeth. Having teeth that are misaligned, or being stressed because of everyday life, can lead to excessive wear or bruxism. In this case, a night guard is used as a barrier between your teeth to prevent them from contacting each other. Since a night guard “locks” into place over your upper teeth, it will prevent your opposing teeth from fully engaging against them.
Grinding and clenching your teeth has it’s side effects. Fortunately, wearing a night guard will prevent you from dealing with morning headaches, worn and painful teeth, gum recession, teeth that are jagged and/or sharp, and teeth that are notched out at the gum line.
Night Guard For Dental Work – If you have a lot of new cosmetic dental work like veneers, crowns, or bridges, then protecting your investment is a must. Some people may not be aware that they clench or grind. These actions can be so powerful that you break your new dental restorations, as such, we may recommend that you wear a night guard as a precaution to protect your investment.
Night Guard For Jaw Pain – If you suffer from jaw pain then you might have TMJ disorder, which occurs when the jaw muscles and joint is inflamed. This can be caused by grinding, clenching, misaligned teeth, or overuse of the muscle. Other side effects of TMJD include a headache, earache, tenderness when the joint area is touched, limited range of motion or ability to open, clicking and popping noises from the jaw joint when you open and close your mouth.
Night Guard For Snoring – Your night guard appliance is made so that your lower jaw protrudes forward. As a result, your airway opens up and you can breathe more easily. People who snore or have mild to moderate sleep apnea can get a better night’s sleep with a night guard and not wake up with a headache from snoring all night.
How To Get A Custom Night Guard?
If you think that a night guard is right for you, then it’s time to visit North Houston Dentistry. We’ll examine your condition to determine which specific type of appliance you need and take the appropriate steps for getting one made for you. Doing so may consist of taking a set of impressions of your upper and lower teeth, or getting a digital replica of your mouth by using a 3-D scanner. Either way we go, seeing our Houston dentist is the best way to get the highest quality night guard that will give you ultimate protection. Give us a call today to get started
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