Night Guards

Why do I need a night guard?

A professionally made night guard protects your healthy smile by preventing your teeth from scraping or grinding against each other as you sleep. Grinding or clenching your teeth while sleeping is very common. Approximately 30-40 million children and adults suffer from bruxism — the official term for tooth grinding.

Untreated bruxism can damage your teeth, causing cracks and chips. Grinding or clenching your teeth together can gradually wear away the outer layers of enamel, potentially making your teeth more sensitive. Severe bruxism may lead to:

• Temporomandibular joint disorder (a type of jaw dysfunction)
• Facial pain
• Headaches
• Discomfort when eating, biting, or talking
• Cracking a tooth

Without a night guard to protect your teeth, you may eventually need restorative dentistry, such as fillings or crowns, to maintain the healthy shape and size of your teeth.

Why do I grind my teeth?

Teeth grinding is triggered by a range of factors, including:

• Stress and anxiety
• Sleep disorders
• An abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked
• A complication of Huntington or Parkinson’s disease

Research in the Journal of the American Dental Association linked teeth grinding to alcohol and tobacco use, finding that smokers and individuals who drank alcohol were approximately twice as likely to grind their teeth.

Teeth grinding can also occur in kids. It’s most commonly seen in children with hyperactivity disorders or health issues. Some types of medicine also may cause this condition.

Other potential reasons include:

• Allergies
• Irritation in the mouth
• Misaligned teeth

However, most children outgrow teeth grinding by adolescence.

How does a night guard treat teeth grinding?

A professionally made night guard is a simple solution to avoid tooth damage due to teeth grinding. The team at Greenwich Dentistry fits you with a night guard, which is a custom-fitted oral appliance made of plastic.

You wear your night guard while you sleep to prevent your teeth from scraping against each other. With regular use, you can avoid lasting damage to your teeth and protecting your healthy smile.

If you’re experiencing headaches, chipped teeth, or other signs that you’re grinding your teeth at night, call Greenwich Dentistry today or book a consultation online.