Night Guards Belvidere, IL
Night Guards
Belvidere, IL
A night guard is a protective device or appliance for your mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, gums, arches, and lips. An effective night guard is like a crash helmet for both your teeth and jaws.
A night guard is a protective device or appliance for your mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, gums, arches, and lips. An effective night guard is like a crash helmet for both your teeth and jaws.
A night guard is a dental appliance that often are recommended for several oral health issues, the most common being if you are suffering with TMJ/TMD or Bruxism (teeth grinding). Night guards are usually made in a dental office or dental laboratory and are custom designed for your unique bite.
The team at Brechon Dental will embrace you as family. Being family owned for over two generations, we extend our compassion and caring concerns to all patients of all ages. We are proud to provide a wide range of dental services and have a commitment to providing these services in a manner that you become educated and comfortable with the care you are receiving, confident that we are implementing advanced technology to provide you with cutting edge services, all provided in a comfortable and caring environment. Located at 115 W. Lincoln Ave. in Belvidere, Illinois, 61008, we enjoy serving the entire community and the surrounding areas. Simply call 815-491-8032 with any dental questions or concerns and schedule your appointment today for anyone in your family that might benefit from a night guard.
A night guard is an effective method for preventing damage to your teeth, jaw, and overall oral health. If you report common symptoms associated with TMJ/TMD or Bruxism such as headaches, chronic jaw pain, and a general feeling of restlessness caused by disrupted sleep, then Brechon Dental might recommend a night guard as an appropriate solution for you to address those symptoms.
The Different Varieties of Night Guards
- Soft Night Guard- The most used type of night guard for Bruxism and used for mild or occasional cases, but not if you are a severe teeth grinder. They are the most comfortable fit of all the night guards, the most adaptable, easy to get used to, and usually lower in cost. This guard is not as durable, usually only has a 6-month warranty is not long-term solution.
- Dual Laminate Night Guards- This type of night guard for Bruxism is if you are a moderately severe teeth grinder. They are soft on the inside and hard on the outside. They handle heavy clenching and grinding, last longer and usually offer a longer warranty than soft guards. These are thicker and harder to get used to.
- Hard Night Guards- Hard night guards for Bruxism are made from acrylic and are quite rigid but exceptionally durable. They can be used for severe cases of grinding, as well as TMJ. These are the most durable, they prevent your teeth from shifting and offer the longest warranty. These are made from an accurate dental impression, are the thickest and are the most uncomfortable.
Fitting your Night Guard
Personalizing the fit of your night guard will depend on the brand. It is in your best interests to allow Brechon Dental to properly fit your night guard. Here are the examples of night guards for Bruxism:
- “One-size-fits-all.” There are over-the-counter night guards you can purchase that will not be custom fitted. These will work only if you are an occasional teeth grinder.
- “Boil and bite.” With these you boil in water and then bite into it to leave your own impression. It is usually simple to do and is a common type used.
- Order online. There are night guards you order online. You need to send in your impression, and they mail back your fitted night guard.
- Made in lab. You can get night guards right from Brechon Dental. These offer the most accurate fit because they are made with your impression in our lab.
If you suspect you may suffer from Bruxism, do not worry. It can easily be treated with night guards. It is always best to see us to see if we can discover the root cause and address that before seeking other treatment. As an example, sleep apnea may be the underlying cause.
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More On TMJ/TMD
- TMJ/TMD and Bruxism are oral health ailments that can develop in your jaw and face that are characterized by headaches, teeth grinding or pain in the jaw. If you leave any of these untreated, these disorders will result in serious damage occurring in the surrounding teeth and your jawbone and can even hinder your hearing.
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) connects the temporal bones of your skull to your jaw and is responsible for your jaw being able to move both up and down and side to side. When this jaw joint becomes inflamed and injured, symptoms might range from headaches, pain, numbness in the face, ringing in your ears, or a jaw that becomes locked or even difficult to open.
TMJ disorders usually fall into these three categories:
- Myogenous TMJ problems: The most common type of TMD, Myogenous TMJ disorders involve muscle related pain, and the symptoms are discomfort in the temple, jaw, shoulders, or neck. These are most often treated with night guards and even BOTOX® treatment.
- Jaw joint generated pain: The pain caused by the internal derangement of TMJ, which can be the result from an injury to the condyles, a displaced disc within the TMJ, or a dislocated jaw.
- Degenerative joint disease: This is caused by other issues such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
The exact cause of TMJ/TMD is unknown, but several potential contributing factors are:
- Bruxism
- Arthritis
- Stress
- Injury
- Dislocation of the Cushioning Disc
- Genetic predisposition
More on Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition that is characterized by the clenching, gnashing, or grinding your teeth. Bruxism can occur while you are awake or while sleeping. Bruxism commonly has related issues such as sleep apnea or snoring.
Common signs of bruxism include the following:
- Headaches
- Worn Teeth
- Jaw Pain
- Hearing Loss
- Fractures or Loose Teeth
- TMJ/TMD
Proper Maintenance of your Night Guard
It is important to perform regular cleaning of your night guard every morning. Before handling your guard, always wash your hands. Once your hands are cleaned, you should rinse the guard immediately and then brush the night guard using toothpaste and your soft bristle toothbrush. When cleaned, place your guard on a clean surface and let it dry. When dry, store your night guard in a proper case and preferably not in the bathroom, where it can warp.
By following these best practices, your night guard will last you a long time. It is also important to be aware that eventually your guard will need to be replaced. Please bring your night guard with you to Brechon Dental for your dental appointments so we can inspect your night guard for any significant signs of wear and to make sure that it continues to still fit properly.
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Dentistry for You in Belvidere
Brechon Dental is a family-owned dental clinic at 115 W. Lincoln Ave. in Belvidere, Illinois, 61008. Our highly compassionate staff and dentists are genuinely dedicated to your dental care and your healthy smile. When you visit us in our newly designed office, we focus on making your experience with our staff comfortable and rewarding. We wish for you to leave your visit smiling, with teeth that are healthier and brighter. From regular examinations and dental cleanings to a variety of cosmetic procedures, our goal is to provide you with only the best in dental care and treatments so that you achieve and maintain a smile you are proud of. We want you to have convenient access to dental care by accepting most major insurances and offering financing options. Call 815-491-8032 to schedule your appointment with Brechon Dental today.