Night guards are a type of oral appliance used to protect your teeth while you sleep. These customized mouth guards are most frequently used to treat bruxism (habitual teeth grinding and clenching) but may also be recommended for TMJ disorders or other problems. While bruxism can occur at any time, it is most common at night. As a result, many individuals who have bruxism are unaware of the condition because it occurs while they are asleep.

Common signs of nighttime teeth grinding and clenching include:

• Chronic jaw, facial and ear pain
• Frequent migraines and tension headaches
• A tired or tight feeling in the jaw when waking up
• Excessive tooth wear
• Chipped, flat, cracked or worn teeth
• Indentations on the sides of the tongue
• Increased tooth sensitivity

Night guards prevent your teeth from grinding against each other while you sleep, helping you avoid tooth damage and other problems that affect your oral health and function. If you are diagnosed with bruxism and wish to receive a night guard, our periodontist will take impressions of your mouth in order to custom design your appliance so that you can enjoy the best results possible.

If you have any questions about night guards, please give us a call and make an appointment with our periodontist. We are committed to helping you sleep peacefully while protecting your teeth.