Nightguards Reynoldsburg
Patients often don’t realize any potential dental hazards associated with sleeping. However, while asleep, many people are clenching and grinding their teeth without even noticing it.
Night grinding, or bruxism as dentists commonly refer to it, can lead to a variety of side effects and dental health issues like damaged teeth, jaw pain and in more severe cases, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).
At McKibben Dental, Dr. McKibben, Dr. Ehrbar, and the team can help you protect your teeth during sleep with a custom-made nightguard. This dental guard covers your teeth at night to prevent clenching, grinding and tension in the jaw.
What are Bruxism Symptoms?
If you are grinding your teeth at night, you may notice symptoms during the day such as jaw pain, a dull headache, broken teeth or worn and cracked teeth. While reasons for clenching and grinding are varied, usual causes are tension and stress in a patient’s life.
If left untreated, bruxism can cause long-term oral health problems like a misaligned bite, damaged teeth or complications from temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This is why it is imperative to invest in a custom-made, proper-fitting nightguard.
How Does a Nightguard Treat Bruxism?
Trying to reduce stress is a good start to stopping bruxism, but the best solution for long-term relief and prevention is getting a special mouth guard for sleeping.
Nightguards work by providing a protective layer between your teeth as you sleep. The soft, plastic material from which your mouth guard is made is both flexible and highly durable, so it can sustain any grinding. Since it is made from plastic, this softens grinding so your teeth won’t clench against each other.
Aside from saving your teeth and jaw from future pain and damage, nightguards can improve your sleep quality and even lead to headache and migraine prevention.
What are the Benefits of a Custom-Fit Nightguard?
Like an athletic mouthguard, there are quick and simple nightguard solutions that you can purchase over-the-counter. Most major pharmacies offer boil-and-bite nightguards that you can take home and use that same night.
However, these general boil-and-bite nightguards are only generally fitted for an adult’s mouth. Even after submerging the device in hot water and biting it to fit your mouth, it won’t be truly fit to your unique teeth. While it is a good temporary solution, your teeth may slide around without the proper fit.
This is why, at McKibben Dental, we recommend getting a custom-made nightguard to fit every tooth and area of your jaw. During your next dental exam, Dr. McKibben, Dr. Ehrbar, and the team can take a look at your teeth and determine any particular areas impacted by bruxism.
From here, we will create a plan to get you fitted for a nightguard and treat your night grinding and clenching symptoms.
Looking for a Nightguard in Reynoldsburg and the Surrounding Columbus area?
At McKibben Dental, our team specializes in preventative dentistry solutions for both children and adults. Call our office at 614-575-9530 to discuss nightguards and your options for diagnosis and treatment of bruxism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people don’t realize they grind or clench their teeth until symptoms appear. Waking up with jaw soreness, frequent morning headaches, tooth sensitivity, or worn tooth surfaces can all be signs of bruxism. During a dental exam, our team can look for evidence of grinding and determine whether a custom nightguard is the right solution for you.
For many patients, a custom nightguard can reduce the pressure placed on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles during sleep. While it may not treat every cause of TMJ discomfort, it can help relieve symptoms related to nighttime clenching and grinding. Our team will evaluate your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan in Reynoldsburg, OH.
The lifespan of a custom nightguard depends on the severity of your grinding habits and how well you care for it. Many patients use the same appliance for several years with proper cleaning and routine dental checkups. We will inspect your nightguard during regular visits to ensure it continues to fit properly and protect your teeth.
Rinse your nightguard with cool water after each use and gently clean it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or a cleaner recommended by our team. Store it in a ventilated protective case and avoid exposing it to high temperatures, which can warp the material and affect its fit.
Yes. Children and teenagers can also experience teeth grinding, especially during periods of growth or stress. If your child shows signs of bruxism, such as worn teeth or jaw discomfort, our team can evaluate whether a custom nightguard is appropriate. We also monitor developing smiles to ensure the appliance continues to fit properly as your child grows in Reynoldsburg, OH.
