Top Reasons to Wear a Night Guard

Keeping your mouth healthy doesn’t stop when you go to sleep at the end of the day! One of the most common complaints we hear from our patients is that they’re feeling pain in their face or jaw. The usual suspect? Teeth grinding, or bruxism. While many people think of teeth grinding as something that comes along with stress and anxiety, it can also be caused by sleep disorders, alcohol and tobacco use, and even tooth abnormalities. Without the proper treatment and care, teeth grinding can lead to jaw pain, headaches, and even cracked or chipped teeth. Russo Dentistry can help!

At our practice, we offer custom night guards to help our patients ward off the nasty side effects of teeth grinding. Night guards have a bad reputation for being bulky and uncomfortable, and many people who could benefit from using one avoid them out of concern that they won’t be able to sleep. Our custom night guards are thin, comfortable, and molded especially to your teeth. The molding and fitting process is pain-free, and since night guards aren’t always covered by insurance, we have plans available to make them cost-effective. There’s no shortage of benefits to treating your teeth grinding with a custom night guard, but here are a few of our favorite reasons:

1. Protects your teeth: This one is simple! Your custom night guard will prevent your top and bottom teeth from touching, which protects them from cracking, chipping, and enamel loss. If you have fillings, implants, or cosmetic dental work (think crowns, bridges, and veneers), your custom night guard may be a necessary part of your at-home care routine. Dental work can wear down just like natural teeth do, and night guards protect that investment.
2. Saves you money: There’s no two ways around it – damaged teeth will cost you money, and so will the facial pain that comes along with teeth grinding. When you protect your teeth with a night guard, you’ll save on visits to the dentist, over-the-counter pain relievers, and costly dental restoration procedures.
3. Prevents headaches and jaw pain: Teeth grinding can be incredibly painful for more parts of your body than just your teeth. You might also experience jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, and earaches. These problems aren’t just irritating – they can derail your life and prevent you from doing things you enjoy. By preventing teeth grinding with your custom night guard, you can take a step towards feeling your best every day.
4. Healthier sleep: Russo Dentistry is a progressive dental practice, and that means we’re focused on the complete health and wellness of our patients. There aren’t many things better for your whole body health than a good night’s sleep! When you’re clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, your muscles aren’t relaxed. Your night guard will help to relax the muscles in your face, allowing your body to fully rest and recharge.

With a custom night guard, teeth grinding can be a thing of the past. Let Raleigh’s top dental practice help you protect your oral health. Call Russo Dentistry today to schedule your first appointment.