When your dentist asks how you’ve been sleeping, it may sound like a friendly conversation, but there’s much more to it. In truth, your sleep habits reveal important details about your oral health. At Dentistry of West Bend, we pay attention to sleep because issues like nighttime teeth grinding, jaw pain, and even sleep apnea often leave clear signs in your mouth.
Asking about your sleep allows us to protect your smile before small problems become painful or costly. One of the most effective tools we use is a custom-made nightguard.
What Are Nightguards?
A nightguard (also called a dental night guard or bite guard) is a dental appliance that fits over your teeth while you sleep. It creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, stopping the grinding of the teeth (bruxism) and protecting your tooth enamel from damage.
Custom nightguards are made in a dental lab from detailed dental impressions. This ensures a custom fit, a comfortable fit, and superior protection compared to store-bought counter options. They are usually built with a hard outer layer for durability and a soft inner layer for comfort, making them easy to wear night after night.
Why Sleep Matters to Your Dentist
Your mouth often shows the first signs of sleep-related dental issues. That’s why we ask about how well you sleep during dental exams. These questions help us identify:
- Grinding of the teeth: Flattened or chipped teeth, cracked fillings, or dental work are signs of this.
- Jaw pain or sore jaw muscles: A sore jaw or stiffness in the lower jaw can signal clenching during the night.
- Bruxism symptoms: Headaches, earaches, or tension in the jaw and face often point to nighttime teeth grinding.
- Sleep apnea concerns: Obstructive sleep apnea may be linked to bruxism or TMJ disorders. If needed, we’ll recommend further evaluation with a healthcare provider.
- Loose or missing teeth: These can be made worse by clenching and grinding, putting your dental health at further risk.
By learning about your sleep, we can recommend an effective solution before damage becomes a bigger health problem.
The Risks of Ignoring Grinding
Grinding or clenching may seem harmless at first, but untreated bruxism creates lasting problems. Without a protective dental guard, you may develop:
- Thinning or fractured tooth enamel
- Cracked or broken crowns, bridges, or fillings that require repair
- TMJ disorders and chronic pain in the lower jaw
- Sensitivity in the teeth from enamel loss
- The need for restorative dentistry, such as dental implants, inlays, or onlays
Even moderate bruxism can cause unnecessary dental work and ongoing discomfort. Addressing it early with a custom night guard is the best way to stop these problems before they progress.
Types of Mouthguards
There are different types of mouth guard, but they are not all designed for the same purpose.
- Sports mouth guard: Worn during contact sports to protect teeth from injury. They help with dental trauma but do not prevent nighttime teeth grinding.
- Over-the-counter dental guard: Sold online or in stores, sometimes advertised with a free impression kit or fast business days for shipping. While they may appear to be a good product, they rarely provide the best fit or effective solution long-term.
- Custom dental night guard: Created by your dentist using precise dental impressions. Built with durable hard material and a soft inner layer, these provide a comfortable fit and lasting protection.
A custom mouth guard made in a dental office is always the best way to protect your oral health while you sleep.
How Nightguards Are Made
At Dentistry of West Bend, making a nightguard is simple and comfortable. We take accurate dental impressions of your teeth and send them to a trusted dental lab. Within a few business days, the lab designs a custom dental night guard built specifically for your bite.
The result is a dental appliance that feels natural, stays in place through the night, and provides the best fit. Unlike counter options, a custom nightguard is adjusted by your dentist to ensure it offers both comfort and superior protection.
Caring for Your Nightguard
Proper care helps your nightguard last longer and stay effective. Follow these steps to protect your investment:
- Rinse after each use: Use warm water, never hot water, which can warp the hard material.
- Clean gently: Use a soft toothbrush with a mild cleanser to remove buildup.
- Use a storage case: Keep it in a clean storage case when not in use.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Bleach or boiling water can weaken the guard.
- Check regularly for signs of wear: Look for cracks, thinning, or discomfort. Bring it to your dental office so we can evaluate it during your exams.
With proper care, your nightguard will continue to provide superior protection and support your long-term dental health.
When to Consider a Nightguard
You may benefit from a nightguard if you:
- Wake up with jaw pain or stiffness
- Have frequent morning headaches or earaches
- Notice flattened, chipped, or worn teeth
- Experience TMJ disorders or discomfort in the lower jaw
- Know that you clench or grind your teeth at night
- See signs of bruxism, such as sore jaw muscles or sensitive teeth
A nightguard is often the most effective solution for preventing further tooth wear, protecting your dental work, and easing jaw pain.
Preventive Dentistry and Whole-Patient Care
Protecting your smile is about more than fixing problems after they happen. At Dentistry of West Bend, we emphasize preventive dentistry and whole-patient care. That means we look at how your oral health connects with your overall well-being, including your sleep and comfort.
By offering preventive solutions like nightguards, occlusal disease treatment, and regular dental exams, we help you avoid unnecessary dental work and maintain healthy teeth for life. Our goal is to provide gentle guidance, early detection, and effective solutions tailored to your needs.
Protect Your Smile and Your Sleep
If you’ve noticed bruxism symptoms such as jaw pain, sore jaw muscles, or damage to your teeth, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. A custom dental night guard offers a comfortable fit, superior protection, and peace of mind.
Contact Dentistry of West Bend today to schedule your exam. Together, we’ll find the best way to protect your teeth, ease jaw pain, and support better sleep.
Recent Comments