Nightguards

If you grind your teeth while you sleep, which is known as bruxism, your dentist can provide nightguards as a solution. Wearing custom-fitted mouth guards can help your sleep and prevent various dental health problems.

We fit Gahanna, OH patients for personalized nightguards at Creekside Family Dental.

What Is Bruxism?

Nightguards are used as a dental treatment when someone has bruxism. This is the technical term for when you grind your teeth and clench your jaws as you sleep. These actions can lead to a variety of dental and health problems, so it’s important to manage them.

You may not realize you have bruxism since it happens while you are unconscious. Nonetheless, your partner may tell you that you grind your teeth during the night, and you may notice symptoms like jaw and tooth pain, a dull headache or ear pain. Your teeth could also have sensitivity to temperature when you’re eating or drinking.

Nonetheless, these symptoms could indicate other problems. It’s best to have a consultation with a dentist. Dr. Leffler checks for dental signs of bruxism, such as cracked, worn or broken teeth. Let him know any symptoms you are experiencing so he can make the most accurate diagnosis. If he determines you have bruxism, in general, he recommends a custom-fitted nightguard.

How Do Nightguards Help?

Nightguards provide a protective layer between your top and bottom teeth. When your body automatically grinds and clenches as you sleep, the guard prevents the teeth from gnashing against each other and creating damage. It also reduces pressure by providing cushioning.

Bruxism is difficult for the medical field to treat, and treatment is generally focused on relieving stress, managing the problem and reducing damage caused by the grinding. Going to the dentist is usually the best option for this problem, as a dental professional has the expertise to diagnose and treat problems of the teeth and jaws like this.

While you may have some success reducing the instances of teeth grinding through stress relief and behavior changes, using a nightguard provides the best protection for the teeth and jaws. This tool can prevent the need for dental work to fix damage and bite, such as bonding, crowns or orthodontic work. Also, the nightguard may help you sleep better, and could also be used within the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).

Are Dentist’s Nightguards Better Than Retail Ones?

Nightguards from the dentist’s office are the ideal solution compared to over-the-counter options. It’s easy to find mouthguards in a retail store or online, yet these options are not customized to your mouth. Many retail guards are one-size-fits-all options that are bulky, uncomfortable and may not be fully effective.

Some dental guards purchased over the counter can be fitted. For example, boil and bite ones allow you to customize the shape. While this type offers the best retail option, it still does not provide the same fit and effectiveness of one from the dentist’s office.

At our office, we use technology to take a digital scan of your teeth and jaw. Based on this, we provide you with a nightguard that has a customized fit. It is slim, comfortable and perfectly fitted to your own teeth. We use our expertise to ensure you get the proper fit, and we can keep an eye on your bruxism over time.

Make a Mouth Guard Appointment

During a consultation visit, our dentist can assess your mouth for signs of bruxism and determine whether a nightguard would benefit your situation.

Contact us to make your consultation appointment.