What is bruxism? 

Bruxism is clenching and grinding that damages your teeth. Constant bruxism wears away your enamel, leaving the softer dentin exposed. If you are bruxing at night, you could have headaches or muscle soreness. Bruxism is also sometimes a symptom of other issues such as sleep apnea. 

 

How do I know if I need a night guard?

Signs that you need a nightguard (occlusal guard): 

• Your dentist has mentioned “bruxism”

• You wake up with sore jaw muscles in the morning

• You wake up with pain in your jaw joints (TMJ)

• Your partner tells you that you are grinding your teeth at night

• You find yourself clenching your teeth at work during the day

• You have esthetic dental work 

• You teeth look “ground down” and “flat” in front 

• You have signs of wear on your back teeth

• You can see the inner yellow layer (dentin) at the incisal (top) edge of your teeth

 

Sometimes clenching and grinding can happen without the symptoms listed above. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you have signs of wear in your mouth, like flattened cusps or thinning enamel during your examination.

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When do I use a night guard?

Night guards aren’t just for the night time! Many people would benefit from wearing their occlusal guard during the day, especially if they have a stressful job. These removable appliances can protect you from jaw pain, tooth damage, tooth sensitivity, and decrease the risk of tooth decay by preserving your enamel.

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How do night guards work?

A night guard, or "occlusal guard" is a noninvasive treatment that provides a physical barrier to prevents your teeth from wearing each other away. It also prevents your teeth from being able to lock into each other while you sleep, relieving some of the pressure on your jaw and helping your muscles relax. The occlusal guard is custom fitted so that the pressure of your biting force is evenly distributed among your teeth. This prevents trauma to any single tooth.

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Occlusal guards are made of a hard plastic that allow your teeth to “skate” around and protect your teeth from grinding and clenching.

Night guard in the Gaithersburg, Potomac, Rockville area can cost $500-1000.

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If you are grinding your teeth or clenching, contact us for an appointment here.