Night Guards in Southwest Houston

Smile transformations may be what MINT dentistry is known for, but we also offer proactive treatments to protect your mouth from damage. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding (also called bruxism) overnight is a common issue that causes damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. While the most visible sign of damage is wear or damage to the surface of the teeth, chronic tooth grinding and jaw clenching can manifest as symptoms like headaches, tooth pain, inflammation, plus chronic pain in your head and neck. MINT dentistry's team of board-certified dentists suggests a night guard (oral appliance) to protect your mouth while you sleep. Night guards are made with high-quality materials utilizing state-of-the-art technology that fits you comfortably while preventing damage from jaw clenching and teeth grinding, helping you to achieve better sleep and have less pain in the morning. Find out more about night guards that are custom made for your needs at MINT dentistry by scheduling an appointment at our office in Houston, TX.

You may have one or several signs that you are clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you sleep. You may benefit from a night guard if you tend to experience headaches when you wake up in the morning plus tightness, swelling, or pain in your jaw. Other signs that suggest you may need a night guard include loose teeth or fillings, worn-down enamel on the tops of your back teeth, tooth sensitivity, and a receding gumline. Nocturnal bruxism is often a symptom of chronic stress, but it may also be the result of allergies, dental malocclusion, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). When your team of dental professionals is diagnosing bruxism, we also try to identify the contributing factors so we can create the most effective treatment plan.

To diagnose bruxism and determine if you would benefit from a night guard, your dentist will perform a thorough examination. You can relax in one of our treatment chairs wearing MINT sunglasses and listening to your favorite music through Beats headphones while the exam is performed. After a board-certified MINT dentist diagnoses a condition requiring an oral appliance, we will take impressions and digital x-rays of your bite which will be used to design your night guard. MINT dentistry will send this information to a dental laboratory where your appliance will be crafted out of high-quality materials with advanced technology. When your guard is sent back to our office, you will be scheduled for a fitting. Your dentist may make slight adjustments to your appliance so it's more comfortable. Your dentist will also give you instructions on how to care for your appliance, so it remains in great condition for as long as possible.

To fully benefit from your custom night guard, you have to wear it every night or as frequently as your MINT dentistry team recommends. Your night guard should minimize or eliminate the symptoms caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching but if it continues or gets worse, schedule an appointment as soon as possible so we can discuss other treatment options. To avoid problems with your night guard, you should clean your teeth and guard before each use as well as after. You should bring your night guard to all of your exams and cleanings so we can make adjustments or repairs.

If you have been diagnosed with nocturnal bruxism or jaw clenching, part of the cost of your night guard will probably be covered by insurance. Someone in our office will contact your provider to understand how much your policy will cover. During your consultation, your dentist will try to estimate the cost of your night guard. To help make your treatment more affordable, our office takes numerous forms of payment and we can help you find medical financing. We are committed to helping patients of all ages and stages of life get the dental care they need. If you do not have PPO dental insurance, our team can tell you more about the MINT Discount Plan.

Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth while you sleep creates pain and other problems that make it difficult to enjoy your life. Night guards are a simple option to diminish the sleepless nights caused by the symptoms of nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching). Custom night guards from MINT dentistry can also boost your overall oral health while reducing the risk of more expensive issues. To learn more about nocturnal bruxism and night guards, contact our office in Houston, TX to book a consultation with MINT dentistry.