Nightguards For Bruxism – Burlington, MA

Protected Smiles Stay Beautiful and Healthy

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a common sleeping disorder that both children and adults suffer from. If it occurs regularly, it can cause severe and permanent oral damage along with uncomfortable side-effects like dull headaches and a sore jaw. Even though it often goes unnoticed or brushed off, it can have a serious impact on your dental health, which is why Dr. Kostas provides high-quality protective nightguards in Burlington. These are built to cushion the teeth, facial muscles, and jaw, reducing the discomfort caused by nightly gnashing. If you believe that you have bruxism, be sure to contact our office. Our friendly and experienced dental staff will help you find relief and protect your smile so you can enjoy it for the rest of your life.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

Bruxism often goes unnoticed because it commonly occurs at night while you’re asleep. However, there are some ways that you can find out if you grind your teeth nightly. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of the following signs:

• Grinding noises.
• Jaw soreness or tension.
• Pain while chewing food.
• Difficulty sleeping or frequently waking up throughout the night.
• Visibly worn-down teeth.
• Teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
• A dull and pounding headache when you wake up in the morning.

At the first sight of any of the following symptoms, be sure to schedule a checkup so Dr. Kostas can examine your mouth and let you know whether you can benefit from a custom-crafted nightguard.

Causes of Bruxism

For some time, researchers have been trying to find out what exactly causes bruxism. While they haven’t quite been able to put their finger on a single source, there are a few common risk factors that have been uncovered. Some of these include:

• Stress: Negative emotions such as stress, anger, and anxiety have all been connected to teeth grinding. Researchers have found that during bruxism episodes, heart rate and brain activity rise, meaning that the central nervous system could play a role in triggering the grinding.
• Bite Problems: Malocclusions, or bite and alignment issues, are common causes of teeth grinding. For patients who suffer from this, we may recommend using clear aligners to correct the issue and prevent any further damage from occurring.
• Substance-Based Habits: Certain bad habits such as tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption have been connected to an increased risk of bruxism.

Nightguards for Bruxism Offer the Best Protection

As soon as you notice any signs of bruxism, be sure to visit your dentist in Burlington, Dr. Kostas, immediately so our team can craft you a customized nightguard. Typically, we are able to complete the process in two appointments. During your first, we’ll take images of your mouth using our advanced dental technology. This will allow us to develop a precise and accurately fitting guard that’s completely comfortable to wear and doesn’t inhibit your breathing ability, unlike one-size-fits-all mouthguards that you can buy from stores. We’ll send all of the information we collect to our dental laboratory. Using high-quality materials that are made to withstand everyday use, they’ll craft a nightguard for you that will cushion your facial muscles and teeth to prevent injury.

The Benefits of Getting a Customized Nightguard

Some patients debate between investing in a customized nightguard designed by a professional or a store-bought one that you can boil and bite. Although a nightguard made specially for your mouth may have a higher upfront cost, you’ll be able to count on the quality and know that it’s safe for your mouth. Some other advantages of visiting our office for a protective nightguard for bruxism include:

• Long-term savings because the nightguard has a longer lifespan.
• Maximized protection because of the accurate fit.
• Headache prevention.
• Reduced tension in the facial muscles.
• Reduced risk of breaking, chipping, or cracking teeth.
• Better quality of rest.

Caring for Customized Nightguards

Regular maintenance of your nightguard will keep it clean and make it last longer. When you prevent bacteria from transferring from your guard to your mouth, you’ll be able to reduce your risk of developing oral health problems. One important note: be sure that you don’t use scalding hot water while cleaning your mouthguard. Although it will sanitize it, it can also cause the shape to warp and not fit your mouth properly. Otherwise, here are some upkeep tips:

• After every time you use it, be sure to rinse and dry it.
• Whenever your mouthguard isn’t being used, it should be stored in a hard, ventilated case.
• Sanitize your nightguard at least once a week by placing it in a cup and completely covering it in hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it under lukewarm water.

If you’d like some additional care tips for your nightguard, be sure to ask us when you come pick it up from our office. Also, if you have any concerns or questions while you’re using it, our team will be more than happy to help you address them over the phone.