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Protect Your Smile While You Sleep With a Night Guard
Waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or sensitive teeth? You might be grinding or clenching your teeth at night, also known as bruxism. A custom night guard can help protect your teeth, ease discomfort, and improve your sleep.
At Sanilac Smiles Dental Care, we offer professionally made night guards that are comfortable, durable, and designed just for your smile. A night guard is a soft or hard plastic device that fits over your teeth—usually your upper teeth—to protect them from grinding or clenching while you sleep. Unlike store-bought options, a custom night guard is made to fit your mouth perfectly, making it more comfortable and effective.
Signs You Might Need a Night Guard
You may benefit from a night guard if you notice:
- Jaw pain or tightness in the morning
- Frequent headaches
- Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Clicking or popping in your jaw
- Disrupted sleep or waking up tired
Even if you aren’t aware of grinding, your dentist can often spot the signs during a checkup.
How Night Guards Help Prevent Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, often happens while you sleep, so many people don’t even realize they’re doing it. Over time, this grinding can wear down tooth enamel, cause chips or cracks, and put strain on your jaw.
A custom night guard works by creating a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. This helps in several ways:
- Absorbs the pressure from grinding and clenching
- Prevents direct tooth-to-tooth contact
- Reduces the risk of damage to your teeth, fillings, and crowns
- Eases muscle tension in your jaw, which can reduce pain and headaches
Wearing a night guard regularly can protect your smile from long-term damage and help you wake up feeling more refreshed and pain-free.
Getting a Custom Night Guard
Getting your night guard is quick and easy:
Dental Exam
We examine your teeth and jaw to confirm that a night guard is right for you.
Impressions
We take impressions or digital scans of your teeth to create a custom-fit night guard.
Fitting
Once it’s ready, you’ll return to try it on. We’ll check the fit and make any needed adjustments.
Wear Nightly
Use your night guard every night as recommended, and care for it by rinsing and storing it properly.