What is Bruxism?
Bruxism (“grinding”) is the involuntary or habitual grinding of the teeth, typically during sleep. Most people are completely unaware that they are grinding, because often they do it while they sleep. Some are clenching or grinding their teeth to the point of destructiveness. Grinding causes damage to temporomandibular joint (TMJ), where the lower jaw meets the base of the skull. If left untreated, grinding can cause the TMJ to become inflamed to the point where your mouth will “click” or “pop” whenever you open or close it. Because there is no “cure” for bruxism, the dentists at Eatonville dental usually treat bruxism with a night guard. The night guard is custom fit just for you, and is worn at night to physically prevent you from grinding your teeth while asleep.
I grind but don’t wear a Night Guard, what can happen?
Bad headaches, pain in the shoulders, neck, back and ears, or possible tooth pain can occur as a result of the swelling pressure. Some patients will say that they notice signs of wear, but it is not just a cosmetic problem. Long term grinding may also cause temperature sensitivity, pain because the wear gets down to the nerve, cracks in the teeth, receding gums and eventually lost teeth. To fix these problems patients may need crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, extractions, & root canals.
What is the process to get a Night Guard?
There are 2 appointments required to have a custom Night Guard made. The first appointment your dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth, which is sent to the lab. On the second appointment, about 1 week later, the Night Guard is delivered and adjusted to fit perfectly in your mouth. Each appointment will take approximately 30min. The cost is approximately $420, and is covered by most insurance companies.
Storing and Cleaning your Night Guard?
To clean your night guard before storing it you can use your tooth brush with some water. You can also soak the mouth guard in mouth wash or mouth guard cleaning tablets for about 10 minutes, or even all day. You will notice that this soaking will give your mouth guard a great taste and kill germs, but it can also stain the mouth guard, so keep that in mind when choosing the rinse you will use. DRY.
When your night guard isn’t in use, it should be kept in its case, in a cool, dry location. It is very important to keep your night guard in its case to prevent damage if it is knocked off the stand or counter, and will keep dust and other contaminants from settling onto the guard throughout the day. Containers for night guards are also designed to provide proper air circulation, which will prevent the guard from deteriorating or becoming mildewed. It is also important to remember to hide your night guard from your pets, especially dogs, as they really enjoy to chew them.