The key to a good nightguard is finding a dentist who will take the time to make sure the fit is both secure and comfortable. If you suffer from teeth grinding at night or TMJ (temporomandibular joint issues), you may benefit from our specially fitted nightguards here at Lovett Dental Beaumont. Stress and anxiety often cause people to grind their teeth while they sleep. And while you can’t always reduce your everyday stress and anxiety, you can stop teeth grinding from damaging your smile and causing other health problems.
Grinding Teeth at Night?
Bruxism is the term dentists use for teeth grinding and jaw clenching. If you suffer from headaches, jaw pain, or facial pain, you may be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw at night while you sleep and not even know you do it. Bruxism can also cause TMJ disorders or temporomandibular joint disorders, causing jaw pain and difficulty chewing. Teeth grinding can also cause:
- Broken teeth
- Tooth loss
- Damage to the bones beneath the teeth
- Loss of enamel
- Damage to dental crowns, bridges, and other dental work
Anxiety, stress, and tension often cause bruxism. In our relatively stressful world, we see patients who don’t even know they’re grinding their teeth in their sleep; yet, they have headaches and pain in their jaw and neck. Even if getting rid of the stress and anxiety seems impossible; getting rid of teeth grinding is relatively easy. You can stop your teeth grinding at night with special nightguards for bruxism. Our experienced dentists can fit you with nightguards for bruxism that will protect your teeth against the night clenching and grinding that occurs while you sleep.
Nightguards for TMJ
We see TMJ disorders frequently at Lovett Dental Beaumont. Because TMJ is often a side effect of bruxism, it can cause more pain and health problems if it is not corrected. If a doctor, or one of our dentists, has diagnosed you with TMJ disorders or temporomandibular joint disorders, we may recommend nightguards for TMJ. Ask our dentists to check for TMJ disorders if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Pain while chewing
- Jaw pain
- Jaw popping when you chew, or when you open and close your mouth
- Difficulty chewing
- Tenderness in your face or jaw
- Pain and aching around your ear or ears
- Tenderness in the jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
Protect Your Teeth While You Sleep
Every mouth is different, which is why it is important to have a custom-fitted nightguard. That’s why we first take an impression of your mouth. Then, we send the impression to a laboratory that fabricates your nightguard to your mouth’s specifications. Once the laboratory returns the nightguard, our dentists check to ensure it fits properly and comfortably. Our dentists will describe the proper way to wear and care for it. You’ll wear your new nightguard every time you sleep. Your new nightguard will last for years with basic cleaning and care. Whenever you visit us for routine teeth cleanings, be sure to bring your nightguard with you so we may inspect them to ensure they are still fitting your mouth properly and haven’t been damaged.
Visit Us at Lovett Dental Beaumont to Get Fitted for a Nightguard
If you live in Beaumont and suffer from bruxism and TMJ, you’ll be relieved to know that our dentists at Lovett Dental Beaumont have a solution to these issues. Our experienced dentists are trained to make sure your nightguard fits perfectly. You don’t have to deal with the pain from teeth grinding. Contact Lovett Dental Beaumont online today or call us at 409-924-8100 to make an appointment.