Night Guards

If you have increased tooth pain or sensitivity or frequent unexplained headaches, you may be grinding your teeth at night and need a night guard. At Tatiana Barton, DDS, in Stamford, Connecticut, Dr. Barton can customize your night guard for premium comfort and effectiveness and help you get back to restful nights and pain-free days. To learn if a night guard is a good option for you, call to schedule an appointment or contact the office online.

What are night guards?

A night guard is a hard or soft plastic device, similar to a retainer, that Dr. Barton customizes for you. Night guards protect your teeth from the damage caused by teeth grinding and clenching (also known as bruxism) during sleep.

What signs indicate I need a night guard?

There are a few tell-tale signs that you grind your teeth while you sleep and can benefit from a night guard:

• An increase in tooth sensitivity or pain
• Jaw muscles that are tight or tired
• Jaw, neck, or face soreness
• An earache when nothing wrong can be found with your ear
• Dull headaches or migraines
• A jaw that won’t fully open or close
• Damage inside the cheeks from repetitive chewing
• A disruption in your sleep

Dr. Barton may also observe signs of bruxism during a dental checkup since it can cause your teeth to become flattened or fractured. This wear to your enamel exposes the sensitive tissues of your teeth, so prompt dental care is vital to prevent pain and further damage.

How are night guards made?

Dr. Barton begins by scanning your full mouth. It’s important to see how your upper and lower teeth meet to ensure the most accurate fit. She sends this information to a lab to create your night guard.

The night guard is made of comfortable, durable materials and should fit your mouth without wobbling or pain. Let Dr. Barton know if you have any questions or concerns about your night guard’s fit. 

How are night guards used and cared for?

Instructions for use are easy: You simply wear your night guard to bed, and it does the work of protecting your teeth and mouth. They’re also easy to care for since you only need to rinse them when you take them out in the morning and give them a light brushing with your toothbrush.

In exchange, wearing your night guard should eliminate the damage and tension caused by teeth clenching and grinding, reduce headaches or migraines, and prevent the development of jaw disorders.

You don’t have to live with head and jaw pain when there are solutions at hand. To find out if you might benefit from a custom-made night guard, call Tatiana Barton, DDS, or contact the office online.