Bruxism, or nightly grinding and clenching of your teeth, can impact patients of all ages. According to the American Sleep Association, bruxism affects 10 percent of adults and about 15 percent of children. Without the proper preventive measures in place, this issue can wreak havoc on both small, developing smiles, as well as fully-grown ones. The best way to shield your teeth from the harmful effects of bruxism is to get a customized nightguard in Saginaw. Dr. Rupeshwar Renkuntla offers high-quality protection that’s built to withstand nightly use and comfortably fit in your mouth without causing you to wake up and needing to adjust it. The first step to protecting your mouth is to schedule a consultation by contacting Saginaw Dental’s office today!
Bruxism commonly occurs while people are sleeping, so it’s often hard to know for sure if you are grinding and clenching your teeth if you’re not awake. Many symptoms and signs occur the following morning, or in most cases, go completely unnoticed until the condition causes dental damage. Here are some signs you can keep an eye out for at home that may indicate you have bruxism:
If you notice any of the symptoms, be sure to mention them to Dr. Renkuntla, he can examine your teeth and develop a treatment plan to keep your condition from causing oral health problems.
While not every case of bruxism can cause immediate damage, the longer the problems go unaddressed, the further your oral health will decline. When you let Dr. Renkuntla know of the symptoms you’re experiencing, he’ll examine your mouth and let you know if a custom-tailored nightguard fitted to your unique oral structure will help you avoid any issues down the road.
Typically, the process of getting the nightguard takes place over two visits to Saginaw Dental. During the first, we’ll take impressions of your teeth to create a model of your mouth from. This will be sent to our dental laboratory to help craft your physical nightguard. It will be made from durable and high-quality materials that will cushion your muscles, teeth, and jaw to protect you from facial pain and enamel erosion. Because they’re specially designed to withstand regular wear-and-tear, you’ll be able to use it for years, as long as it’s properly cared for.
Patients are often tempted to buy one-size-fits-all mouthguards from their local pharmacy or general store before they seek help from their dentist. Even though customized guards have a higher up-front cost, they offer countless benefits and are a better long-term investment. Some advantages you’ll enjoy with a customized nightguard from your dentist in Saginaw, TX include:
With the proper care, your nightguard will be able to protect your mouth for years. It’s important to develop a daily hygiene routine to keep it bacteria-free, just remember not to use hot water on it because it could warp the precise shape of it. Besides that, her are some daily and weekly cleaning routines that you’ll want to keep up with:
If you’re wondering whether customized nightguards are the answer to protecting your teeth and jaw against bruxism, the best way to find out is to schedule a consultation at Saginaw Dental. Our team will walk you through the process and help you find out whether your dental insurance plan covers the cost of the nightguard.