Night Guards
If you wake up each morning with headaches, sore jaws, or sensitive teeth and gums, you might be one of the many people who suffer from a condition called bruxism. Bruxism is the medical term for clenching and grinding your teeth. We create a custom-fitted nightguard in Gainesville, GA, to protect your teeth and help you get a better night’s sleep.
Understanding Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition where a person may involuntarily grind, clench, or gnash their teeth, often while they sleep. Those doing it are not even aware of the problem.
Symptoms of bruxism include:
- Tooth damage
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Sleep disruptions
Bruxism can lead to broken teeth, worn enamel, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) if left untreated.
Types of Bruxism
There are two categories for bruxism:
- Awake—Grinding or clenching the teeth due to current emotions such as anger, anxiety, or frustration. The grinding is an unhealthy coping mechanism. Some do it while deep in thought, too, or focusing intently.
- Sleeping—Sleep-related chewing and grinding
You could have one or both types.
What Causes Bruxism?
It is unclear why some people develop this condition.
There are likely key triggers for it, such as:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Sleep apnea and other disorders
It could also be a side effect of medications.
There are risk factors that might make you more prone to this condition, including:
- Genetics—It can run in families.
- Underlying medical condition—It can happen in people with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, ADHD, and GERD.
- Lifestyle—Certain lifestyle habits can factor in, as well, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and excessive caffeine intake.
For some, personality traits might make them more prone to bruxism, such as anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity.
Diagnosing Bruxism
Our dentist in Gainesville, GA, evaluates each patient for bruxism during routine exams. We look for signs of changes in the teeth and mouth, such as flattening or fractures. We will also look for tenderness or stiffness in the jaws.
What Is a Nightguard?
A nightguard is a custom appliance that your dentist designs for you to wear while you sleep. It works as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, protecting them and helping relieve jaw pain. The material of the nightguard absorbs the pressure as you grind or clench your teeth.
Custom Fitting Your Nightguard
We take a detailed impression of your upper and lower teeth. We send that impression to a fabrication lab, and they use it to design your nightguard. By using an impression of your teeth, we can provide a guard that is a perfect fit, far superior to anything you might buy in a store.
Taking the Dental Impression
There are two formats for dental impressions: manual, using dental putty, or digital. The lab can use a digital scan to create a mold of your teeth and then fabricate the nightguard using that mold. Both options work well, but the digital scanner is the fastest and most efficient approach.
Fabricating the Nightguard
Once the lab has a dental mold, it fabricates the nightguard using a thermoplastic material such as acrylic. Once our dental office in Gainesville, GA, receives the custom-made nightguard, you come in to have it fitted.
The dentist may make a few adjustments to ensure the guard is snug and more comfortable. If necessary, we will send the changes to the lab and have a new one made.
If you think you might suffer from bruxism, don’t wait to make an appointment. Our dentist in Gainesville, GA, will evaluate you and develop a treatment plan that may include fitting you for a nightguard.
