Night Guards

Night Guards in Murfreesboro, TN

Some people grind or clench their teeth while they sleep, creating dental and sleeping problems. Fortunately, there’s a way to stop the grinding and protect your teeth. Keep reading to learn more about night guards and how the dental professionals at Magnolia Dental Group in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, can help.

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What is an Occlusal Guard?

Occlusal guards, or night guards, are removable plastic trays that fit over your top and bottom teeth. They are designed to protect your teeth from the bad effects of bruxism. Custom night guards from Magnolia Dental Group also put your TMJ into a resting position when you bite down, which contributes to less TMJ pain and lowers the chance of having TMJ issues later in life.

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What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is the condition of grinding or clenching your teeth unconsciously. The grinding and clenching generally occur during sleep, but they can occur during awake hours, too. During these clenching events, your muscles are activated at a much stronger intensity than normally occurs from talking or chewing, which is why it can break your teeth down and cause TMJ pain. Additionally, night guards help protect any dental work you may have in your mouth already.

How do you know if you Grind Your Teeth While Sleeping?

Signs that you may grind or clench your teeth include:

Interrupted, poor-quality sleep
Snoring
Tooth Sensitivity
Waking up with pain in your jaw, ear, or head
TMJ Pain

Bruxism is a treatable condition. If you believe you have bruxism, talk to your dentist about it.

How Does a Night Guard Work?

When you fit your night guards over your teeth, you give your teeth a smooth, flat surface to rest on. It helps bring balance to your bite so you don’t wake up with sore teeth, aching jaw joints, or tense facial muscles. The night guards also provide a buffer between your teeth, preventing them from rubbing against each other and wearing your teeth down.

Why Should Somebody Wear a Night Guard Retainer?

Night guard retainers are great for treating bruxism. A night guard is also beneficial for people who have Temporomandibular disorders. A TMJ disorder happens when your jaw’s hinge joint is not working properly. You could experience headaches, jaw pain, sleep apnea, dental damage, and bruxism. If your dentist diagnoses you with a TMJ disorder, you may need to use a custom night guard to help fix the problem and prevent further pain and damage.

If you have had a lot of dental work done in your mouth, you might need to wear a night guard to prevent damage to your dental crowns or other restorations.

Benefits of Custom Mouth Guards

A custom-made mouthguard from Magnolia Dental Group can benefit you in several ways:

Saves tooth enamel. The enamel on your teeth does not grow back, so if you rub it away at night while grinding your teeth, you may end up with sensitive or damaged teeth. Night guards protect the enamel.
Alleviates bruxism or TMJ/TMD symptoms. Night guards can help you feel better, eliminating headaches, muscle pain, jaw pain, and clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth.
Protects costly dental restorations. Grinding and clenching your teeth can damage or destroy dental restorations, such as crowns, veneers, and fillings. It is especially important to wear a night guard if you have a dental implant. Night guards work well to protect your teeth and your restorations.
Adds comfort. Custom night guards are designed for your mouth. They fit perfectly so that you can sleep comfortably.
Lasts for years. If taken care of properly, custom night guards can last many years.

How Much Do Dental Guards Cost?

Feel free to call us to ask about specific prices of night guards. Dental insurance plans sometimes cover part of the cost of a custom night guard. Also, at Magnolia Dental Group, we use a 3D scanner for our night guard. This means a great outcome for your night guard as well as no gooey impression material!