Teeth grinding during sleep
An extremely large number of people grind their teeth while sleeping. Most are unaware that they are doing this. Sometimes grinding will occur during periods of stress; however, stress is not the only cause. Teeth grinding can also be caused by sleep disorders, an abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked. The symptoms of teeth grinding include:
- Dull headaches
- Jaw soreness
- Teeth that are painful or loose
- Fractured teeth
Teeth grinding is also common in children. However, because their teeth and jaws change and grow so quickly it is not usually damaging and most will outgrow it by adolescence. Other possible causes of teeth grinding in children include:
- Irritation in the mouth
- Allergies
- Misaligned teeth
How does a NightGuard help?
NightGuard is a simple but unique construction that prevents the back (posterior) teeth from coming into contact and corrects the irregular chewing surfaces on the teeth, so that there is no more grinding.
If you’re concerned about you or your child’s teeth grinding, ask the dentists at Linden Dental Associates about the potential causes and, if necessary, the possible solutions.
Getting your custom guard
It takes two easy visits: a quick digital scan of your teeth, then a fitting when your guard arrives, adjusted until it feels right. From there it becomes the easiest habit in dentistry: it sits on your nightstand and protects your smile while you sleep.
Athletes, take note: if you or your child plays contact sports, ask about custom sport guards too. The same precise-fit approach that protects teeth from nighttime grinding protects them from Saturday collisions, and a custom fit means it actually gets worn.
Grinding often travels with other signals worth checking: gum recession, worn crowns, and jaw tension your hygienist can spot at your cleaning. Mention the guard question at your next visit and we will look at the whole picture.
What a custom guard costs, and saves
A custom night guard is priced as protective equipment for your most-used possession. Compare it against what grinding destroys: enamel, crowns, and eventually major restorative work, and the value is obvious. Some insurance plans contribute; our team checks yours, and payment options cover the rest. Drugstore guards cost less and protect accordingly.
Night guard questions, answered
Will I actually sleep with it in? Custom fit is the difference; comfortable guards get worn, and ours are adjusted until yours is. How do I clean it? Cool water and a gentle brush, then its case. How long does one last? Years, checked at your cleanings. Can it help my morning headaches? When grinding causes them, patients often notice the difference quickly.
Protection while Linden sleeps
You cannot will yourself to stop grinding at night, but you can make grinding harmless. A small custom shield on your nightstand, a lifetime of enamel preserved. Few purchases in dentistry work harder while you do absolutely nothing.
Waking with a sore jaw or noticing chipped edges? Your teeth are filing a report. Book a visit online or call 908-486-5252, and let us read it together.
You sleep. The guard works. Your teeth stay whole. Few things in dentistry are this simple, and few pay off this well over the years.
Your teeth work all day. Let the guard take the night shift. You will feel the difference by morning.