Night Guards in Naperville, IL, for TMJ Treatment
If you grind or clench your teeth while sleeping, you risk damaging your teeth. Bruxism (teeth grinding) is common for patients with TMJ and can result in a variety of other symptoms and dental issues. A night guard might be the ideal solution to protect your teeth and relax the jaw at night.
The best thing you can do is consult with a local dentist to learn more about guards and other bruxism treatments. Our team at Naperville Smiles Dental is here to help you with all of your dental treatments. Call to schedule a consultation at your convenience.
Why Wear a Night Guard, also known as Mouth Guard, While Sleeping?
A night guard is like a retainer, with a custom-fit shape to sit over your teeth. The goal is to cover the bite surfaces to separate the teeth and minimize grinding and clenching at night. Every patient has a different bite, which is why it’s a good idea to invest in a custom-made night guard.
If you have TMJ disorder, then here are some of the benefits you can expect from wearing a night guard:
- Protect Your Bite: Prevent the teeth from moving due to clenching and jaw tightness. Additionally, the guard stops chewing surfaces from grinding together, which preserves the teeth. A night guard is essential to prevent teeth damage.
- Treat TMJ: Most people have bruxism due to TMJ. A bite guard is helpful to relax the muscles and jaw, helping to minimize associated symptoms. For example, patients find that they can reduce TMJ headaches and facial pain by wearing a guard at night.
- Save Money: Even though it costs money to buy a night guard, consider the money you will save by avoiding tooth damage in the future. Restorative dentistry can be expensive (fillings, crowns, and tooth loss) – and a night guard is a fraction of the price.
Custom-Fit vs. Store-Bought Night Guards
You can find cheap night guards at local stores and pharmacies. But these low-cost products aren’t as effective as the results you can get from customized guards. You need to work with a dentist who can customize the fitting to your unique bite for the best results.
In fact, some of the cheaper night guards might result in more complications down the road. Wearing a guard that doesn’t fit your mouth correctly can cause bite misalignment and other dental concerns.
Schedule a consultation with our experienced team at Naperville Smiles Dental for more information about night guards and if you struggle with teeth grinding. We are always here to help with full-service dental solutions.