Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinding Washington, DC

MINT dentistry is more than cosmetic dentistry — we also want to protect your teeth from damage. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching (also known as bruxism) when you sleep is a common issue that causes problems in your teeth, gums, and jaw. Although the first sign of damage is wear or damage to the surface of the teeth, chronic tooth grinding and jaw clenching can also cause loose teeth, frequent headaches, inflammation, as well as neck and jaw pain. Our staff of board-certified dentists recommends night guards that are custom-made to protect your mouth from nocturnal bruxism. Our night guards are made with top-quality materials utilizing cutting-edge technology for a comfortable fit that also prevents damage caused by grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw so you can get a restful night of sleep. Learn more about night guards that are custom-made for your needs at MINT dentistry by arranging an appointment at our office in Washington, DC.

It's important to look for signs that you have nocturnal bruxism (grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw while you sleep). You may be a candidate for a night guard if you frequently experience headaches when you wake up in the morning plus pain, swelling, or tightness in your lower face. Other symptoms that may be alleviated with a night guard are loose teeth or fillings, ground-down enamel on your molars, tooth sensitivity, and receding gums. Nocturnal bruxism is usually a symptom of chronic stress, but it may also be the result of a bite misalignment, allergies, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). While your team of MINT dental professionals is assessing your bruxism, we also look for the underlying cause so we can create your best treatment plan.

To diagnose bruxism and decide if you would benefit from a night guard, our team will perform a thorough dental examination. You will be asked to relax in a massaging treatment chair wearing MINT sunglasses and listening to your favorite music through Beats headphones while the exam is performed. Once the MINT dentistry team diagnoses a condition requiring an oral appliance, we will take impressions and digital x-rays of your mouth so your custom night guard can be designed. MINT dentistry will forward the information and design to a dental laboratory where your guard will be crafted out of high-quality materials with advanced technology. When your night guard is sent back to us, you will be scheduled for a fitting at our Washington, DC facility. Your dentist might make minor alterations to your guard to give you a more comfortable fit. Your team will also give you instructions on how to care for your appliance to keep it in great condition for as long as possible.

For your night guard to work effectively, you have to use it whenever you sleep or as suggested by our MINT dentists. Your guard should greatly reduce the symptoms of nocturnal bruxism; however, if it does not, please contact our office so we can address the problem immediately. To help keep your mouth and night guard healthy, we recommend that you clean your guard and teeth before each use as well as after. Your night guard should be brought in to every appointment at MINT dentistry so your dentist can perform repairs and make adjustments as needed.

If you are diagnosed with a condition like nocturnal bruxism, some of the cost of your night guard will possibly be paid by insurance. We will contact your provider to verify your coverage and benefits. During your consultation, a MINT dentistry team member will try to estimate the cost of your night guard. To help your night guard fit into your budget, we accept numerous payment methods and we can help you find medical financing. MINT dentistry is dedicated to helping all patients in Washington, DC achieve great oral health. If you do not have PPO dental insurance, our team can tell you more about the MINT Discount Plan.

Teeth grinding causes pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. A custom night guard is a great treatment option to reduce the sleepless nights caused by the unpleasant side effects of nocturnal bruxism and jaw clenching. Night guards by MINT dentistry may also boost your overall oral health while reducing the risk of more expensive issues. If you think that this might be the remedy for you or would like to learn more, contact our practice in Washington, DC to book a consultation with MINT dentistry.