Night Guards for Teeth Grinding & TMJ In Lynnwood

We are Conveniently Located in Lynnwood, Also Providing Night Guard Services for Everett, Marysville, Redmond, Shoreline, Bothell, Edmonds, And All Neighboring Communities.

Night guards for Teeth Grinding & TMJ disorders

For those suffering from grinding and clenching at night, a night guard can be the perfect solution. Similar in appearance to athletic mouthguards, night guards offer protection specifically designed for those suffering from bruxism. These comfortable, custom-fitted guards prevent and protect against grinding and clenching and help to prevent jaw pain, damage to teeth, and other conditions—allowing for a better night’s rest.

Reasons for Needing A Night Guard

Bruxism is a medical term for clenching or grinding your teeth. Athletes, for example, a weight-lifter, can clench their teeth during a particular lift, causing potential damage. Enter a night guard device. A football player might as well during a tackle. Mouth guards are very common during sporting activities. Much like a night guard. When it comes to yourself, you may grind or clench your teeth during your sleep and have no idea that you are even doing it. Oftentimes, this is caused by your level of stress and how you handle that stress. Anxiety is something that many of our fellow Americans deal with as well. With each of us being so different, we react to these conditions differently. If you are indeed grinding or clenching at night, if you leave the condition untreated, you will suffer from headaches, jaw pain, worn teeth, fractured teeth, loosening of your teeth, possible hearing loss, or even TMJ/TMD, which is a painful condition resulting in your jaw. This action is totally involuntary. Fix it with a night guard. The effects of bruxism or night grinding include tooth destruction and joint pain. The constant grinding and clenching of your teeth will sooner or later expose vital tissues, causing a heightened sensitivity. Then the bite collapses, now bringing in the alignment with your jaw. This entire time, you aren’t even aware that you’re doing it in your sleep. All corrected with a night guard.

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Take Action With A Night Guard

If your sleeping partner literally can hear you at night grinding away, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist. A thorough exam will identify whether you have bruxism. If you are grinding at night, you do want to get fitted for a night guard. Contrary to so many problems that dentists identify and perform procedures to correct, fitting a night guard is one of the easiest and most desirable. There is no pain during the process. The solution is economical and yields fabulous results. A win-win for all parties.

The Actual Night Guard

The best approach is to have a lab create a custom occlusal guard specifically for you. Your measurements and exact specifications will be matched. The final material of the night guard is durable and very comfortable to wear at night. It will not interrupt your sleep. Usually made out of clear plastic, they are even somewhat difficult to see. Also, it is common that a night guard will be made for your upper teeth only. This serves the purpose of prohibiting the grinding.

Wearing The Night Guard

Since you are given only one set of permanent teeth, you might be wearing the night guard or occlusal guard for some time to come. You’ll quickly enjoy the outcome, easing any discomfort or pain that you have encountered upon awakening in the morning. Your dentist is not a counselor or a therapist. If you continue to experience the stress and anxiety that result in your grinding, you might want to research that avenue and try to combat the root of the problem.

Sleep Apnea & TMJ

A night guard, or occlusal guard, will be slightly different than a guard used for TMJ or a different appliance used for sleep apnea. TMJ identifies the problem as being with the joint alignment, so the device will focus on raising the bite pattern, repositioning the jaw, and will be made of a far more rigid acrylic. The industry will also call these devices a splint. Sleep apnea focuses more on your breathing, or, quite honestly, the lack thereof. By pausing in your breathing at night, you disrupt normal sleep and experience being tired during the day.

Call our Office at (425) 742-9609 Today!

Taking Care of Your Night Guard

You can literally brush your night guard or occlusal guard just like you would your teeth. A soft toothbrush, toothpaste, and warm water will remove the plaque that adheres to the guard during the sleeping hours. You can add soaking it once a week in a special dental solution. Always make sure the night guard is dry when not using it to prevent bacteria from building up.

Will They Last a While?

Custom night guards are designed to be long-lasting. While the night guards you can purchase in stores can last months, a night guard designed by your dentist can last years. They are also extremely comfortable and are designed with your specific mouth in mind. Even “boil and bite” night guards can’t match the comfort a custom night guard can.

Proper care is extremely important, as is proper storage. It’s important to clean your night guard and return it to its case between uses. If you take care of it properly, though, you can expect your night guard to last a very long time.