Being stressed, worried, and anxious isn’t uncommon nowadays. Unfortunately, these issues don’t just impact your mental health, they can also cause you to develop certain bad oral habits like bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching. According to the American Sleep Association, bruxism impacts 10 percent of adults in America and about 15 percent of children. Without the right protection, this condition could cause your oral health to decline, impacting the function, shape, and health of your teeth. The best way to protect your mouth is by getting a custom-crafted nightguard from your dentist in Vero Beach.
Why Choose Premier Dental For Nightguards?
- Custom-Made Nightguards for Maximum Comfort and Protection
- Flexible Payment Options
- Comprehensive Dental Care
How Can You Tell if You Grind Your Teeth?
Because most people grind their teeth at night, it can be difficult to tell you’re doing it unless your partner overhears you or you experience physical symptoms the following morning. In most cases, this condition goes completely unnoticed until it causes dental damage or other issues. Some signs to keep an eye out for at home include:
- Grinding noises.
- A sore jaw the following morning.
- Pain while chewing food.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Worn-down teeth.
- Sensitive teeth due to damaged enamel.
- A dull headache when you wake up.
What are Custom Nightguards?
Not every case of bruxism is severe, but the longer the issue goes unaddressed, the more potential there is for additional oral health problems to occur because of it. When you visit Premier Dental for your routine checkup and cleaning, if you’ve noticed any of the symptoms listed above, be sure to let us know. We’ll examine your mouth and let you know if you could benefit from getting a custom-tailored nightguard that’s specially fitted to your mouth for maximum protection.
The process of getting a nightguard usually involves two appointments. During the first one, we’ll take an impression of your teeth to make a model that will be sent to our dental laboratory. There, they’ll craft your physical mouthguard from high-quality, durable materials that cushion your muscles and teeth to prevent any jaw or face pain and protect your tooth enamel. They’re specially designed to withstand regular use, allowing for a long-lasting protective solution.
What are the Benefits of Getting a Nightguard From a Dentist?
Many patients choose to purchase a one-size-fits-all nightguard from their pharmacy or general store before they seek help from their dentist. Although custom-made guards have a higher up-front cost, they offer several benefits, like being made from quality materials that will last for years. Some other advantages you will experience include:
- Maximized protection due to the accurate and snug, customized fit.
- Headache prevention.
- Reduction of muscle tension and pain.
- Prevention of dental damage.
- Improved sleeping patterns.
- Long-term savings.
The best way to learn whether a customized nightguard will improve your quality of rest and prevent oral health problems from arising is to schedule a consultation at Premier Dental. Our team of professionals will discuss any possible limitations and answer questions you may have.
How Do You Take Care of Nightguards?
Taking care of your dental nightguard will be easy. It’s important to remember not to use scalding hot water because it could warp the shape of it. Other than that, here are some recommendation for daily and weekly cleaning:
- Each morning, rinse your guard with water and dry it before placing it back in the case.
- Completely cover your mouthguard in a cup with hydrogen peroxide and let it set for a few minutes. Then, remove it and rinse under water. You can also use denture cleaning tablets to sanitize your guard.
- Always place your nightguard back in its hard, ventilated case when it’s not being used.
With routine maintenance and care, your nightguard will stand to protect your teeth for years. It’s important to at sanitize it once or twice every month to make sure no bacteria or mold begin to grow on it.