Dental Night Guards

Do you suffer from teeth grinding or clenching teeth while you sleep? Call Lighthouse Dental to talk about how to stop teeth grinding with dental night guards.

Causes of Bruxism

Grinding or clenching your teeth at night is known as bruxism and can cause significant damage to your teeth and the joints in your jaw. The causes of bruxism are unclear but may include:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Medications
  • Sleep disorders
  • Consuming too much caffeine or tobacco

Thankfully, there are dental night guards to help those who suffer from bruxism while you sleep. Our state-of-the-art dental care at Lighthouse Dental can help you get a better night’s sleep, as well as protect the health and integrity of your teeth.

Signs of Teeth Grinding and Clenching Teeth

The American Dental Association estimates that 15% of adults suffer from teeth grinding. Signs that you may grind or clench your teeth while you sleep include:

  • Sensitive teeth
  • Locked jaw
  • Temple headaches
  • Earache-like pain
  • Fatigue
  • Receding gums

A more obvious sign of teeth grinding or clenching is wear and tear on your teeth. If you grind or clench your teeth regularly, your teeth will start to wear down, which can lead to other dental issues.

Long-Term Effects of Teeth Grinding and Clenching Teeth

If bruxism is left untreated, it can lead to serious oral health issues. Chipped or broken teeth can occur due to teeth becoming weak and brittle from repeated grinding and clenching. It can also lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, also known as TMJ. TMJ occurs when the jaw and surrounding muscles’ movement becomes compromised, causing jaw pain and difficulty chewing.

If left unchecked, bruxism can even wear your teeth down to nubs, requiring cosmetic dentistry to repair.

Dental Night Guards at Lighthouse Dental

Fortunately, you can treat bruxism with dental night guards. There are several types of night guards, including:

  • Soft night guards
  • Dual laminate night guards
  • Hard night guards

Which dental guard is right for you depends on the severity of your teeth grinding or clenching. What they all have in common is their general use. Dental night guards protect your teeth by placing a barrier between your top and bottom teeth to protect them and cushion the muscles in your jaw.

While dental night guards will not stop you from grinding or clenching, they will protect your teeth’s enamel and bones and muscles in your jaw. Lighthouse Dental can help you determine the best type of night guard to use to help relieve your bruxism.

Dental night guards purchased through Lighthouse Dental offer a more accurate fit than those purchased over the counter. We make impressions of your teeth so that each night guard is custom fit for maximum comfort and protection.

Other services

At Lighthouse Dental, your Arlington General Dentistry clinic, we offer state-of-the-art dental care tailored to meet your individual needs. With your comfort as our top priority, we strive to give you a beautiful smile worth showing off. Whether you need routine check-ups, cleanings, or more advanced procedures, our skilled team is here to ensure you receive the best care possible. Visit us and experience the difference at Lighthouse Dental.

At Lighthouse Dental, our commitment to excellence as an Arlington cosmetic dentist is evident in every aspect of our practice. We pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of dental innovation, ensuring that we always offer the latest cosmetic techniques and technology to our patients. This approach allows us to provide exceptional care and results, whether you’re seeking a subtle enhancement or a complete smile makeover.

Do your teeth need some polish? Maybe you’ve noticed discomfort while you eat but aren’t sure what’s wrong. A dental exam and cleaning appointment with Lighthouse Dental will make sure your teeth are pristine and well-cared-for.

If you are suffering from a toothache or sensitivity, it may be time to get checked for cavities. These little holes caused by tooth decay can sneak up on you, but when they arrive, time is of the essence. If left untreated, the deterioration could worsen, requiring a more extensive procedure such as a crown or root canal.

Lighthouse Dental in Arlington, VA, should be your go-to if you suspect you might have a cavity and need a dental filling.

Periodontal disease refers to diseases that affect the gums. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is one example.

Meaningful treatment begins with proper diagnosis. We will do a thorough evaluation of your problem to determine the best way that we can help and the appropriate therapy.

Do you or a loved one suffer from sleep apnea? If so, you’re not alone. Sleep apnea is a common but serious condition that causes disruptions in your breathing during sleep. These disruptions can cause loud snoring and interrupt your sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and other health problems.

Do you suffer from teeth grinding or clenching teeth while you sleep? Call Lighthouse Dental to talk about how to stop teeth grinding with dental night guards.