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We provide patients with custom-fitted nightguards that provide protection against habitually grinding teeth and discomfort from tooth grinding and thus preserving the integrity of their dental health while they sleep.

The custom-made nightguards offered at Lakewood Smiles help to preserve dental health by preventing bruxism which is habitually grinding your teeth while sleeping and soothe discomfort caused by bruxism.
Grinding your teeth on a regular basis can have damaging effects on your overall oral health, such as tooth wear, cracked teeth, soreness in the jaws when you wake in the morning, headaches, and interrupted sleep. Nightguard products designed by dental professionals are customized to fit each patient’s unique bite, which ushers in an effective and comfortable product solution.

We need precise impressions of your teeth to manufacture your custom nightguard, the Nightguard you will receive will be comfortable for you to wear. Once you receive your Nightguard, it forms a barrier between your upper (maxillary) and lower (mandibular) teeth, so that you do not grind your teeth against each other. Thus, preventing the wear and fractures of teeth also prevents discomfort caused by these issues. It is our goal at Lakewood Smiles to enhance your quality of life through restful nights of sleep while protecting your dental health through the use of Custom Nightguards at Lakewood Smiles.

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Nightguards safeguards your smile when you are in sleep

Nightguards are dental devices that protect your teeth and gum while you are going to bed. People who have a problem with grinding their teeth which is a medical condition called bruxism or with clenching their jaws which is a problem called TMJ, can benefit from wearing night guards. In the rest of this article, we will explain how night guards help with these two issues and why they are an essential component for maintaining the health of our teeth and gums.

Benefits of Nightguards

Nightguards are important for multiple reasons:

1) Protection against Grinding Teeth (Bruxism)

Bruxism is when someone continuously grinds their teeth or clenches them at night which will eventually destroy your teeth from excessive use and sometimes lead to the loss of some of your teeth. This is why nightguards can be very beneficial. Nightguards will protect your teeth from being ground and will prevent damage associated with grinding food or snacks.

2) Relieve tension in the Jaw

Jaw clenching is often an unconscious thing that people do and can create discomfort in your facial muscles and pain in the jaw as well as headaches. Nightguards prevent why people clench their jaws and provide some cushioning effect on their jaw, which provides a level of comfort and therefore relieves the pain of jaw clenching.

3) TMJ Treatment (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder/Dislocation)

For those that suffer from TMJ symptoms, often the most prominent symptom of TMJ chews in the jaw with a lot of pressure, along with clicking and/or popping sounds, and limited movement of the jaw. A properly fitted nightguard will allow for a more ideal position of the jaw and can reduce the amount of pressure being applied to the TMJ Joint.

4) Protect against Excessively Sensitive Teeth

Bruxism can not only damage teeth, but when bruxism occurs it can also create sensitivity. A properly fitted nightguard protects your teeth from excessive wear, which contributes to less sensitivity when it comes to hot and cold foods, and also prevents them from becoming more uncomfortable to consume liquids and solids.

How Nightguards Work

The function of Nightguards is to provide a cushioning barrier between the lower teeth and upper teeth. Here’s how the process typically works:

  1. Custom Fit:-

Before fitting nightguards your Dentist take the measurement of your teeth for comfortable fit. Nightguards has custom fitting which makes it easy to fit in  your mouth. 

  1. Absorbing Force:-

While you are in sleep if you jaw is clenched or you grind your teeth, nightguards absorbs the pressure which results into preventing friction between teeth. 

3.Increased Jaw Muscle Relaxation :-

Nightguards help decrease muscle tension in the jaw area. Tension in the jaw area may lead to headaches, face pain, or discomfort in the jaw area.

4.Improving Jaw Alignment :-

A nightguard provides a firm basis for the proper alignment of your jaw. Jaw alignment is an important factor in alleviating the symptoms of TMJ syndrome and decreasing the amount of stress on the temporomandibular joint.

The Role of Nightguards

Nightguards act as a cushioning mechanism between lower[mandibular]] & upper teeth [maxillary] which provides protection against bruxism -grinding & clenching while sleeping is known as bruxism. 

Who Should Consider Wearing A Night Guard?

Night guards may be an appropriate option for people who have one or more of the following issues:

  • Bruxism – the practice of clenching or grinding your teeth.
  • Jaw Clenching – the practice of clenching/pulling your mouth.
  • TMD – Temporomandibular Disorders.
  • Sensitivity or wear of Teeth due to Teeth Grinding

Night Guards: Long-Term care & Success

To achieve maximum effectiveness from your night guard, it’s important that you:

  • Wash Your Night Guard with Soap & Water Every Day
  • Keep your Night Guard in a Protective Case When Not Using It
  • Get Regular Dental Check-ups to Evaluate Your Night Guard and to Make Any Necessary Adjustments

Conclusion 

Nightguards are effective solution for protecting your teeth from grinding at night. As, it will help in removing discomfort and improve your oral hygiene while you rest. 

Having a custom fit means that now night guards can become part of your daily dental routine and protect you from grinding your teeth when you’re sleeping.

If you think that you may require the use of a mouth guard because of any of the symptoms above, as well as if you’re having trouble sleeping, you should contact your dentist to inquire as to the potential options you may have. A custom fitted mouth guard is a great investment for the long-term health and comfort of your teeth.

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