8221 Glades Road, Suite 4, Boca Raton, FL 33434
Relief from Teeth Grinding and Clenching
If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or worn teeth, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep without realizing it. Known to dentists as bruxism, this common condition can quietly cause real damage over time. At Glades Dental Group in Boca Raton, we create custom nightguards that protect your teeth, ease your discomfort, and help you sleep more soundly.
Bruxism is linked to stress, anxiety, an abnormal bite, and missing teeth, though its exact causes are not fully understood. There is also emerging evidence suggesting a connection to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Until research offers more conclusive answers, our best approach is to prevent as much of the damage and as many of the side effects of bruxism as possible. A custom nightguard is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do exactly that, shielding your teeth and relieving the strain that grinding places on your jaw and facial muscles.
Ask About a Custom Nightguard
What Is a Nightguard and Why Might I Need One?
A nightguard is a mouthguard that you wear at night while sleeping to protect against the damage and discomfort caused by teeth grinding or clenching. Made from soft plastic or rubber, it fits over your upper teeth, or in some cases your bottom teeth, to keep them from touching. This material prevents tooth wear while also absorbing and dispersing biting forces, which helps prevent the jaw pain and headaches that often stem from clenching tension.
Bruxism is an unconscious behavior experienced by both children and adults. Because it usually happens during sleep, many people are unaware they have it until they notice the symptoms or until a dentist spots the damage. Mild bruxism may not require treatment, especially for patients who clench but do not grind and have no associated symptoms. For more severe cases, however, a custom nightguard made by our dentist is the best form of protection.
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth
Because teeth grinding often happens during sleep, recognizing the symptoms is important. You may be experiencing bruxism if you notice:
- Worn, cracked, or broken teeth
- Jaw pain, neck pain, or even back muscle tenderness
- Facial pain, earaches, or frequent headaches
- Increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
- Difficulty sleeping or disrupted rest
If any of these sound familiar, we encourage you to reach out to our Boca Raton team. Even if you are not experiencing pain, our dentists can often detect signs of clenching and grinding based on the condition of your teeth and mouth.
How We Create Your Custom Nightguard
Getting a custom nightguard at Glades Dental Group is a simple, comfortable process. Here is what you can expect:
Evaluation
Our dentist examines your teeth and discusses your symptoms to confirm that a nightguard is right for you.
01
Taking an Impression
We take a precise mold of your teeth to create an exact model of your mouth.
02
Fabrication
Your nightguard is custom-made to fit your unique bite, ensuring both protection and comfort.
03
Fitting
You will try on your finished nightguard at our office so we can check the fit.
04
Adjustment
If anything feels off, we make adjustments until your nightguard feels comfortable and secure.
05
Who Can Benefit from a Nightguard?
A custom nightguard may be right for you if you:
- Grind or clench your teeth during sleep
- Wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or facial pain
- Have noticed worn, chipped, or sensitive teeth
- Experience high levels of stress or anxiety
- Have been told by a partner that you grind your teeth at night
- Want to protect existing dental work from grinding damage
During your visit, our dentists will evaluate your symptoms and the condition of your teeth to determine whether a nightguard is the right solution for you.
Over-the-Counter Nightguards vs. Custom Nightguards
While over-the-counter nightguards are available, we strongly recommend a custom nightguard, and for good reason. The pre-formed and boil-and-bite guards you find at the drugstore are not as durable or comfortable as a custom-made option. They are more likely to impede your speech or breathing, slip around during the night, or irritate your gums. When a mouthguard is uncomfortable, you are far less likely to wear it, which leaves you exposed to the very problems the nightguard is meant to prevent.
A custom nightguard from Glades Dental Group is created from an exact model of your mouth, made by taking a mold of your teeth. Once your nightguard has been fabricated, you will try it on for fit at our office, and if anything does not feel right, we can adjust it until it is completely comfortable. The result is a guard you will actually want to wear every night, giving you reliable, lasting protection.
Protect Your Smile with a Custom Nightguard in Boca Raton
You do not have to live with the discomfort of teeth grinding or the damage it causes. A custom nightguard from Glades Dental Group offers a simple, comfortable way to protect your teeth and wake up feeling better. Call us today at 561-883-2786 or request an appointment online to find out whether a nightguard is right for you.
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