What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism, or the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth, is a common dental concern that affects patients of all ages, often during sleep. While the most recognizable indicator is enamel wear on the surface of the teeth, nocturnal bruxism might also lead to tooth pain, headaches, and tension in your neck and jaw, among additional discomforts. To guard your mouth against the effects of teeth grinding or clenching while you sleep, our general dentists offer custom night guard appliances at Byers Station Dental. Custom night guards in Chester Springs, PA are made with top-quality materials that comfortably fit in your mouth and worn while you sleep to diminishing teeth grinding and jaw clenching. To learn if a night guard can help protect your teeth and other oral structures against bruxism, please schedule a consultation at our dental practice.
Night Guards Reviews
Is a Night Guard Right for You?
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are often caused by anxiety or stress but may also be the result of misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). When our dentists make a bruxism diagnosis, they also try to identify the cause of the habit and may couple your care with other treatments for a more effective outcome. A number of symptoms may indicate that you are grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw at night, including:
- Flattened or worn teeth
- Morning headaches
- Tightness or pain in your jaw
- Swelling in your lower face
- Loose or damaged fillings
- Tooth sensitivity
- Receding gums
What Is the Night Guard Process?
After our dentists make your diagnosis, we will take digital impressions of your mouth, which will be used to create your custom night guard in Chester Springs, PA. These images will be sent to a dental laboratory where your specialized appliance will be made from high-quality materials. When your night guard is complete and arrives at our office, we will schedule you to come in for a fitting. Our dentists may make minor adjustments to your bruxism appliance to ensure it fits comfortably. You will also be given directions on how to properly care for your night guard so it can offer long-lasting protection for your oral health.
Caring for Your Bruxism Appliance
For your night guard to be effective, it will need to be worn every night. Your night guard can minimize the discomfort and reduce the risk of dental problems created by bruxism. Please contact Byers Station Dental if bruxism symptoms, such as jaw pain or discomfort, persist so that we can make adjustments or explore other treatment options. To help keep your oral health and night guard in good condition, it is best to clean and care for both your mouth and night guard before and after each use. We ask that you bring your appliance to all future appointments in Chester Springs, PA, so our dentists can evaluate and adjust the guard as necessary.
Will Insurance Cover a Night Guard?
Depending on your plan, a portion of your night guard appliance may be covered by dental insurance. Our billing personnel will contact your insurance provider to determine your benefits and coverage before getting started with your care. Along with being an in-network provider for several insurance plans, Byers Station Dental accepts a range of convenient payment options to help make covering any out-of-pocket expenses more convenient for our patients.
Guard Against the Effects of Bruxism
Grinding your teeth may lead to discomfort in your jaw and other oral health concerns. Night guards from our Chester Springs, PA practice are an effective way to lessen the effects of bruxism and possibly even improve your quality of sleep. If you think you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night, contact Byers Station Dental to set up a night guard consultation with our dentists.