Teeth grinding (bruxism) is estimated to affect up to 10% of adults. If left untreated, it can cause premature enamel wear or even cracks and damage to your teeth.
To begin, you’ll see one of our dentists and discuss your issue, such as teeth grinding, TMJ, or sleep apnea. Your dentist will examine your mouth and discuss whether or not a night guard is right for you. If you’re approved, you’ll be fitted for your night guard right away.
Your dentist will use the impressions and fitting information from your first appointment to craft a custom-fitted night guard, which will be made at our partner dental lab.
Once your night guard is complete, you’ll come back to Woburn Dental Associates to pick it up. Then, you’ll start wearing it at night. Typically, you will come back to our office a few times in the following months for a few followups. This ensures your night guard fits properly, and is addressing your TMJ, sleep apnea, or teeth grinding.
Night guards help with TMJ by preventing teeth grinding, which is a major contributing factor to TMJ. They also help move the jaw position to relieve strain on the temporomandibular joint, which encourages it to heal over time.
Similarly, night guards for sleep apnea move the jaw forward slightly. This change in jaw position blocks the oral tissue from sagging into the airway, preventing apnea. Night guards are often the best choice for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea.
Night guards are most commonly prescribed to treat nighttime teeth grinding. They can cushion and protect the teeth, preventing direct tooth-to-tooth contact and preserving your smile.
However, night guards can also be built to treat TMJ and sleep apnea. These night guards are built to shift your jaw into a healthier position, encouraging healing and a restful night of sleep.
Depending on your condition, wearing a night guard can have a lot of different benefits. Night guards protect your teeth from the damage caused by teeth grinding, ensure you get a restful night’s sleep by preventing sleep apnea, and relieve the pain and discomfort of TMJ.
Wondering if a night guard is right for you? Just contact Woburn Dental Associates for a consultation today. Our team is always here to help you get the advanced dental care you need.
A night guard is a type of dental appliance that is worn while you sleep to protect your teeth and jaw from the damaging effects of bruxism, or teeth grinding. If you often wake up with a sore jaw, a headache, or notice that your teeth are becoming worn down or damaged, you might be grinding your teeth in your sleep. This is where night guards come in. They provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth to prevent them from grinding against each other. Our team at Woburn Dental Associates is experienced in fitting patients with comfortable, effective night guards that can prevent further dental damage and alleviate symptoms.
At Woburn Dental Associates, we custom-make each night guard to ensure a perfect fit. The process begins with a dental examination to determine if a night guard is the right solution for you. If it is, we take an impression of your teeth. This impression is used to create a night guard that fits your mouth precisely. Once the night guard is ready, you'll return to our office for a fitting. We'll make sure it's comfortable and adjust it if necessary. The goal is to provide you with a night guard that is effective, comfortable, and easy to wear.
Proper care can extend the life of your night guard and ensure it remains effective. It's important to clean your night guard after each use. You can do this by brushing it with a toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste, then rinsing it under cold water. Always thoroughly dry your night guard before storing it in its case. Avoid exposing your night guard to extreme heat, as it can warp the material. Regularly bring your night guard to your appointments at Woburn Dental Associates, so we can check its condition and fit.
While over-the-counter night guards may be cheaper, they often don't provide the same level of protection and comfort as a custom-made night guard from a dentist. Over-the-counter options are typically one-size-fits-all and may not fit your mouth correctly, which can make them uncomfortable to wear and less effective at preventing grinding. On the other hand, a night guard from Woburn Dental Associates is made to fit your mouth precisely, providing superior comfort and protection. Plus, we're here to answer any questions you have and make any necessary adjustments for the perfect fit.