Faith Cousins DDS
General Dentistry located in Silver Spring, MDIf you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, a night guard can go a long way in protecting your smile. Faith Cousins, DDS, provides high-quality night guards for patients in Silver Spring, Maryland. To get started with your night guard, schedule a visit today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.
Night Guard Q & A
What is a night guard?
A night guard is a custom-made, removable oral appliance that the team at Faith Cousins, DDS, can use to treat teeth grinding. It’s made from an impression of your smile, so it fits snugly on your teeth and comfortably in your mouth.
Night guards are sometimes referred to as snore guards.
What is teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding or clenching, also called bruxism, is a condition where you habitually grind your teeth against one another or chronically clench your jaw. Many people with bruxism aren’t aware of it because it mostly occurs while you sleep, but the condition affects between 30-40 million children and adults in the United States.
What are the signs of teeth grinding?
Some of the telltale signs of bruxism include:
- Increased sensitivity in your teeth
- Indentations on the side of your tongue
- Excessively worn tooth enamel
- Chipped, flattened, or cracked teeth
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Chronic pain in your neck, jaw, face, or around your ears
- Disturbed sleep
Bruxism is incredibly damaging to your oral health. It wears down your teeth, which leaves you more susceptible to tooth decay and bacterial infections. It can also cause significant pain in your jaw and lead to the development of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
What causes teeth grinding?
It’s unclear exactly what causes people to grind their teeth, and the supposed causes can vary widely from person to person.
Some of the factors that can make you more likely to grind your teeth include:
- Increased stress, anxiety, or frustration
- Medications, like certain antidepressants
- Consuming alcohol, cigarettes, or recreational drugs
- Having family members with bruxism
Teeth grinding is also more common in children than in adults.
How does a night guard help with teeth grinding?
A night guard doesn’t stop you from grinding your teeth, but it does protect your smile so that the grinding does less damage. By putting a thin layer of flexible plastic between your teeth while you sleep, a night guard prevents your teeth from grinding directly against one another. This protects your enamel and prevents excessive wear-and-tear.
Don’t let teeth grinding do more damage to your smile than it already has. Schedule your visit to Faith Cousins, DDS, by phone or online today to get your night guard as soon as possible.