A NIGHTGUARD OFFERS PROTECTION FOR YOUR TEETH AND JAW
A nightguard is a custom oral appliance that we will recommend if you are struggling with jaw discomfort, clinching, grinding, or wear facets on the biting surface of your teeth. Over time, this will cause damage to your teeth and jaw joints.
For many patients, this occurs at night, and are unaware of the issue. A nightguard is a great treatment option to stabilize the jaw and prevent the teeth from making contact.
CUSTOM NIGHTGUARD FAQS
The Baltimore Dental Co. team is always happy to answer any questions about this oral appliance that you might have. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about custom mouthguards:
WHAT IS BRUXISM?
Bruxism is the technical name for clenching and grinding your teeth. Some symptoms of bruxism are tight or sore facial muscles, tender teeth when chewing, severe headaches, and popping or clicking at the temporomandibular joint. Usually, bruxism symptoms are worse in the morning.
HOW DO I GET FITTED FOR A NIGHTGUARD?
At Baltimore Dental Co., we have the most modern technology to make this process simple. A team member will use an intraoral scanner to take thousands of photos of your teeth that will be stitched together to create a digital 3D model of your teeth. This first appointment will only take a few minutes.
Your 3D model will be sent to our laboratory to be printed, mounted to your particular bite, and used to fabricate the nightguard. It takes the lab 1-to-2 weeks to complete this process.
You will return for a 20-to-30-minute appointment where the dentist will try in your custom nightguard, check your comfort level while using the appliance, and make any necessary modifications.
HOW CAN A NIGHTGUARD HELP WITH MY TEETH GRINDING?
If you are experiencing teeth grinding, a custom nightguard will protect your teeth as you sleep. It eliminates stress on the jaw joints, relieving TMD symptoms and preventing tooth damage.
WHY IS A CUSTOM NIGHTGUARD BETTER THAN ONE FROM THE PHARMACY?
A custom nightguard is constructed to comfortably fit securely over your teeth. These custom nightguards only lay on either the top or the bottom teeth. Over-the-counter nightguards are generally very thick, sit on both the top and bottom teeth, loosely fit to your mouth, and will wear out much faster than a custom nightguard.
HOW CAN NIGHTGUARDS HELP MY TMJ DISORDERS?
Custom nightguards can help treat TMD by holding your mouth in a healthier resting position as you sleep. By separating the teeth, the nightguard will prevent the muscles from being able to apply the pressure that causes your discomfort.
HOW LONG DO CUSTOM NIGHTGUARDS LAST?
We hope that your custom nightguard lasts at least 3 to 5 years. Some of our patients have made their nightguards last much longer than this. It comes down to how you care for it, the frequency of wear, and how strong your unique case of bruxism is.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE CARE OF MY NIGHTGUARD?
At Baltimore Dental Co., we will educate you on proper nightguard care. It is important to clean your custom nightguard each day with mild hand soap and a toothbrush. You can even use a denture brush that has stronger bristles and a better shape for the hard-to-reach areas.
Bring your nightguard to your appointments and we will clean it in our ultrasonic cleaning unit – like a jewelry cleaning device. We will also recommend brands of at-home ultrasonic cleaners that we have tested out for you.
Nightguards should not be cleaned with abrasive toothpastes or soaked in alcohol-based mouth rinses. The nightguard material will warp if exposed to extreme heat, so it is best not to place it in boiling water or leave it in a hot car.
To get started, schedule an appointment by calling 410.220.4680 or request an appointment online by filling out the form.