What are night guards?
Night guards, also known as sleep guards, are special mouthpieces or “appliances” worn in the mouth while you sleep to address several different conditions and problems. We can make recommendations for sleep guards based on your unique dental needs. Night guards are an excellent way to protect your smile and alleviate coexisting conditions.
Why might my dentist recommend a night guard?
Dr. Bue may recommend a night guard if you have symptoms of bruxism, a condition when someone grinds or clenches their teeth while sleeping. A night guard helps protect your teeth and jaw from the strain of grinding and clenching to reduce any discomfort caused by it. Night guards for teeth grinding can also protect the natural teeth and dental restorations from damage, which is common in patients with bruxism
We may also suggest wearing a night guard appliance if you have been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD disorder), which can cause pain in your jaw muscles due to misalignment. A night guard provides relief from this discomfort by helping to realign the jaw and prevent further wear on the joints and surrounding muscles. This soreness can be alleviated with oral appliance treatment alone