Do I Need a Custom Night Guard?

Do you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep? If so, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with our dentist in South Bend, IN, as soon as possible. If left untreated, teeth grinding and clenching can lead to worn tooth enamel. You could also crack, chip, or fracture a tooth in the long run. The good news is that you can easily prevent these outcomes by wearing a custom night guard while you sleep.

Here’s what you need to know.

Signs You May Grind or Clench Your Teeth

Many people are unaware that they grind or clench their teeth while they sleep. For this reason, it’s important that you continue seeing our dentist in South Bend, IN, for preventive care. During your routine checkup, we’ll be able to detect the warning signs that you may be grinding or clenching your teeth.

Symptoms of teeth grinding and clenching include:

• Worn tooth enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• Cracked or chipped teeth
• Fractured teeth
• Your partner hears your teeth squeaking while you sleep
• Tissue damage to the insides of your cheeks
• Jaw soreness upon waking
• Unexplained headaches, especially upon waking

If you recognize any of the above symptoms, please schedule an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible to seek treatment.

Night Guards for Stress

People tend to grind or clench their teeth more when they’re stressed. While your appliance is called a “night guard” you may also wear it during the day if you find yourself grinding or clenching your teeth while you’re awake. A teeth grinding guard can help protect your smile when you’re going through stressful periods of your life.

What to Expect

It’ll take two appointments to get your custom dental guard. During your first appointment, we’ll take physical impressions of your teeth to send to the dental laboratory. When you return for your second appointment, your custom night guard will be ready for delivery. During your visit, we’ll insert the night guard over your upper teeth and check your bite, making any adjustments as needed to ensure the perfect fit.

Benefits of a Custom Night Guard

In general, we don’t recommend getting an over-the-counter (OTC) night guard. A boil-and-bite night guard from the store doesn’t offer the same level of protection to your smile that a custom guard does. OTC night guards also tend to be softer, which encourages the body to bite and chew more while you sleep.

A custom night guard from a dentist is made out of a comfortable and durable acrylic material. Getting a night guard from our office also ensures that your appliance will fit perfectly around your teeth. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy a good night’s sleep.

One of the other main benefits of a custom night guard is that it’ll help you save money in the long run. By wearing your custom night guard, you’ll be able to avoid further damage to your smile. This also means that you’ll be able to greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency.

Many emergency visits are due to undiagnosed bruxism, which is why it’s vital to schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible if you suspect you’re grinding or clenching your teeth at night. Preventive dental care is of utmost importance.

Related: How to Reduce Your Risk of a Dental Emergency →

Book a Consultation for a Night Guard

Dr. Michael Gasko is an experienced dentist in South Bend, IN. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you maintain a healthy smile for life. To schedule an appointment, please call Select Dental Associates at (574) 232-8888. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.

This blog post has been updated.