Relief from Bruxism
Grinding your teeth at night, also known as bruxism, is a common problem that affects many people. Although the most prominent symptom is wear on the surface of your teeth, nocturnal bruxism may also cause tooth pain, headaches, and inflammation, as well as discomfort and tension in your jaw and neck. To defend against the effects of teeth grinding, Dr. James Peterson provides custom night guards that protect your mouth while you sleep.
Custom night guards are created with high-grade materials to comfortably fit in your mouth and improve the quality of your sleep by easing teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Best Candidates for a Night Guard
There are certain tell-tale signs that you are clenching your jaw and/or grinding your teeth at night. Maybe you wake up frequently with pain in your jaw, a headache, and swelling in your lower face. Other symptoms include loose fillings or teeth, worn-down enamel on the top of your back teeth, sensitivity, and a receding gumline. Grinding and clenching at night are usually caused by stress but can also be the result of a sleep disorder, misaligned teeth, allergies, or a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). While Dr. Peterson is diagnosing your bruxism, he will also find out the cause so your night guard can be used in combination with another treatment for more effective results.
What To Expect
After Dr. Peterson makes your diagnosis, he will take digital impressions and X-rays of your mouth to help create your custom night guard. He will send these details to a dental laboratory, where your night guard will be made from high-quality materials. When your night guard is complete and sent back to us, we will inform you so you can come in for a fitting. Dr. Peterson could make minor adjustments to help your night guard fit correctly. You will also be given instructions on how to care for your night guard so it lasts a long time.
Follow-Up & Care
For your night guard to be effective, you will need to wear it every night. Your night guard will relieve or even eliminate the pain and dental issues caused by bruxism, but if it does not, please call our team so Dr. Peterson can consider other therapies. To help keep your night guard and mouth in good condition, you should clean both properly prior to and following each use. Be sure to bring your night guard to all future appointments, including exams, and cleanings so Dr. Peterson can repair and adjust it as needed.
Custom Night Guards
Teeth grinding can cause discomfort and pain in a number of ways. Night guards are a safe option to diminish the fatigue and other negative side effects of nocturnal bruxism and jaw clenching. Customized night guards from James Peterson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry may also benefit the overall health of your mouth and prevent future issues. If this sounds like a solution to your concerns, or you are interested in learning more, call our team in Coppell, TX to schedule a consultation with Dr. Peterson.