Night Guards
Dental Night Guards in Salem NH
If you clench or grind your teeth on a regular basis, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that up to 10% of people struggle with teeth grinding, or bruxism. Of course, teeth grinding can be annoying and uncomfortable, but it can also have a negative impact on your oral health as well. If you’re struggling with bruxism, Dr. McMillan can help you protect your smile with a custom mouthguard. Before scheduling your free consultation at Honest Care Dental, check out these facts about how wearing a mouth guard could benefit you.
What is an Occlusal Guard?
Occlusal guards, also known as night guards or dental mouth guards, are devices that are used to provide a protective barrier between a person’s teeth, thereby alleviating pressure and preventing friction caused by clenching and grinding. While most people who clench or grind their teeth don’t even realize they’re doing it or do it while they’re sleeping, there are often signs that they have bruxism, including:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Interrupted sleep
- Waking up with a headache, ear pain, or a sore jaw
The cause of bruxism for most people isn’t known, but there are certain factors that could make you more likely to clench or grind your teeth, including:
- Stress
- Sleep apnea (or other sleep disorders)
- Drinking alcohol
- Using tobacco
- Certain medications
Contact Us Today For A Sleep Health Visit.
How Does a Night Guard Work?
When you clench or grind your teeth frequently, your teeth will likely wear down over time. This can lead to a number of oral health issues, including toothaches and sensitivity. Bruxism Night guards prevent the erosion of your enamel from wearing down by absorbing and dispersing the pressure caused by your jaw when your grind your teeth.
Why Would Somebody Wear a Night Guard?
A person could benefit from wearing a night guard if they are having difficulty sleeping, experiencing pain, or developing dental concerns due to bruxism. The best way to determine if a mouth guard is right for you is to schedule an exam with your general dentist.
Benefits of Custom Mouth Guards
When your mouth is healthy, it’s easier to live a happy life. Wearing a custom mouth guard at night can provide many oral health benefits. Some of these include:
- Preventing damage to your teeth, such as cracking
- Protecting your teeth’s enamel
- Alleviating tooth, jaw, ear, and head pain
- Promote better sleep
How to Care for Your Mouth Guard
It’s important to properly care for your dental mouth guard in order to keep it in great shape. Here are some tips to care for your mouth guard:
- Keep it in its storage case when you’re not wearing it
- Always wear it as directed
- Don’t eat or drink while wearing it
- Rinse with warm water after removing it from your mouth
- Brush it regularly with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to keep it clean
Dental Night Guard Cost
Most dental insurance plans will cover preventative dental treatments, including night guards. The cost of your night guard will depend on your dental insurance plan. Please contact our office for information regarding what your dental insurance policy includes.
Honest Care Dental: The Best Choice for Custom Mouth Guards
At Honest Care Dental, we make our night guards in-house using the Spintray Pro 95 3D printer. Using digital impressions, we’re able to create your occlusal guard in as little as one week instead of having to send away for it and wait. If you lose or break your night guard, we can easily reprint you a new one so you don’t have to go without it.
If you’re exhibiting one or more of the symptoms of bruxism, Dr. McMillan and his trusted team at Honest Care Dental can help you protect your smile. With a custom mouth guard, you can alleviate oral discomfort while preventing the damaging effects of continuous teeth grinding. We are proud to offer the best in quality, compassionate dental care to each of our patients. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to giving you a reason to smile!
