Stop damaging your teeth. Protect them with a night guard.
Teeth clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep may cause irreversible damage to your teeth. A night guard could be a simple and affordable solution for protecting your teeth and jaw from the damaging effects of bruxism (clenching and grinding). A night guard is a custom-made horseshoe-shaped (or retainer-like) plastic appliance with shallow borders. It is designed to keep the upper and lower teeth from touching and can be worn on either the top or bottom teeth. A night guard can help reduce clenching, grinding and TMJ (jaw joint) problems by helping to relax the muscles in the jaw. Severe clenching and grinding (bruxism) can cause jaw pain, tense muscles, headaches and excessive wear on the teeth. It is estimated that 30-40 million Americans are affected by bruxism. We can make you a custom-fitted, comfortable night guard.
Night guards are made using soft, flexible material and are custom fit to your mouth by our dentists to ensure that your appliance is both comfortable and effective. While over-the-counter night guards are available, it is important that you consult with our dentists to ensure that your guard fits properly since a poorly fitted night guard may exacerbate your symptoms, making your existing condition worse and possibly causing further dental issues.
Night guards are a noninvasive, relatively low-cost treatment option. In addition to helping mange bruxism and TMJ disorders, they can also improve sleep quality and reduce pain and discomfort.
For more information about night guards in Chicago, Illinois, and to schedule an appointment, call Family Dental of Lincoln today at 773-561-5106.
