Night Guards to Protect Teeth and Gums

Do you wake up with a headache, sore jaw, or sensitive teeth? Your Parklane dentist may recommend a nightguard to prevent these painful symptoms.

A night guard is a custom-fitted, removable device worn over the teeth to protect them from grinding. While grinding during the day is not harmful, grinding at night can wear down your teeth, cause headaches, and irritate your gums.

What are night guards?

Night guards are mouthpieces that fit over teeth. They are designed to help protect the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth from the effects of teeth grinding and clenching.

Many patients clench their teeth at night or grind their teeth while they sleep. This can cause your teeth to become worn down, which can affect the appearance of your smile. Wearing a night guard helps you avoid grinding your teeth at night, which can help prevent your teeth from getting worn down.

How do night guards work?

Night guards are mouthguards that are used while you sleep. They work by gently repositioning your jaw and holding it in place. This can relieve tension that can cause grinding and clenching and, in turn, reduce symptoms of TMD.

Benefits of night guards

Night guards are plastic mouthpieces that fit over your upper and lower teeth. They are worn while you sleep, protecting your teeth from grinding and clenching. Night guards are often recommended to protect teeth from damage caused by bruxism. The clenching and grinding that occurs at night puts a lot of pressure on the teeth, potentially causing cracked and chipped teeth. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to dental issues such as temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. These issues can cause pain in the jaw, stiffness, and headaches.

Night guards can also be used to treat and prevent:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Tooth pain
• Headaches
• Jaw misalignment
• Jaw popping
• Jaw pain
• Tooth damage

Night guards are made from a mold of your mouth, ensuring a comfortable fit. They are custom made from flexible and durable plastic, and they are personalized to you.

How do I care for my night guard?

Caring for your night guard is easy. Simply brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste when you wake up and before you go to bed. Make sure to rinse it under warm water and scrub any debris from the surface of the guard. Avoid abrasive cleaners, as they can scratch your night guard.

Contact Parklane Family Dental by calling Dentist in Fort Smith, AR at (479) 782-0080 (Fort Smith, AR), (479) 484-0777 (Fort Smith, AR), or the Dentist in Rogers, AR at (479) 273-0004 (Rogers, AR) or visiting any of our locations.