Bruxism is a dental condition that causes you to while you sleep. If left untreated, you may end up with worn tooth enamel, cracked teeth, jaw pain, morning headaches, and other symptoms. If this describes your situation, Dr. Bandos may recommend that you wear a custom night guard.
Here’s what you need to know before getting a night guard. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We’d be more than happy to help!
What’s a Night Guard?
A night guard is an oral appliance that you wear while you sleep. This provides a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. That way, you won’t be able to grind or clench your teeth while you sleep.
While you can buy a generic guard at the store, it won’t offer the same level of protection as a custom appliance from your dentist. It also won’t be as comfortable.
If your night guard is uncomfortable, you won’t want to wear it. Even if you make the conscious choice to wear your night guard, you may unconsciously remove it while you sleep if it’s uncomfortable.
Do I Have Bruxism?
It’s often hard to tell if you have bruxism because you’re asleep while you’re grinding or clenching your teeth. But your partner may be able to tell if they hear your teeth squeaking while you sleep.
To get an official diagnosis of bruxism, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bandos.
Schedule an appointment with us if you’re experiencing:
- Worn tooth enamel
- Cracked teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Tooth pain
- Jaw pain when you wake up
- Headache when you wake up
How Do I Get a Custom Night Guard?
To get a custom night guard, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with our office. In general, it’ll take two appointments for you to get your custom guard.
During your first appointment, we’ll take dental impressions and send them to the lab. The lab will then use your impressions to create a custom night guard. This appliance will fit perfectly over the contours of your teeth and gums. That way, you’ll be able to avoid tooth damage and sleep comfortably.
Your night guard will be ready when you come in for your second appointment with us. During your visit, we’ll check the fit of your guard to make sure that it fits well.
Once you get your night guard, you’ll need to wear it every night to avoid any further damage to your smile.
It’s relatively easy to prevent damage to your smile. But your custom guard will only work when you wear it.
Request an Appointment With Dr. Bandos
Dr. Bandos is an experienced family dentist in Kalamazoo, MI. As such, she’d be more than happy to help you manage your so you can get a good night’s sleep.
To request an appointment, please call Kalamazoo Smiles at (269) 353-3700. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.
