Teeth Grinding in Kirkland
Chronic teeth clenching and grinding – also known as bruxism – is often a condition that’s brought on by stress or other neurological conditions.
If you’re experiencing a heightened level of stress in your career or personal life, you may be taking it out on your teeth. During your commute home or while you’re sleeping at night, your TMJ may be tightening up and clenching your teeth against one another.
Instead of allowing your enamel to succumb to stress-induced fractures, you can protect your smile with a customized nightguard.
How Do Nightguards Work?
Unlike oral sleep appliances that attach to your top and bottom teeth, a nightguard only covers one or the other. You wear it at night while you sleep, to counteract the neurological effect of stress that builds up in the daytime. That way when your jaws clench and grind your teeth together, the mouthguard will cushion the tension and protect your smile.
Although a nightguard can gradually wear out from bruxism, it’s better to replace an acrylic appliance than it is to restore broken teeth.
How Are Nightguards Made?
All we’ll need is a quick impression of your teeth. We’ll send the model to our lab where they’ll fabricate your mouthguard. The device will have a softer inside layer for comfort and a harder outer layer for durability.
When you invest in a bruxism mouthguard, you’ll be able to reduce your chances of
- Broken, chipped teeth
- Fractured dental restorations
- TMJ disorder
- Headaches and migraines
- Ear pain
- Muscle fatigue
Dr. Downing Moua and Dr. Thomas Vu are Kois-trained dentist, who approaches oral health from a comprehensive, holistic standpoint. Rather than treating specific symptoms, his goal is to understand what the big picture is.
For instance, what is causing you to grind your teeth? Is it an undiagnosed TMJ condition? Misaligned teeth? Daytime stress? By intercepting causes, we can then reduce the long-term damage that’s possible to your teeth long before those symptoms ever arise.
Will dental insurance cover my mouthguard?
Some insurance companies do cover nightguards for teeth grinding and clenching. Our treatment coordinators will verify your benefits to determine if this is something that falls under your plan’s coverage.
Commercial mouthguards are looser and bulkier. They’re less likely to feel comfortable enough to sleep in overnight and they’re not nearly as durable as a professionally fitted appliance. Our nightguards offer an extremely higher level of protection.
Usually, we’ll see fractured teeth or dental work. You’ll also notice jaw, face or teeth pain from the excessive tension throughout the day or night.
Clean your appliance with antibacterial soap, a toothbrush and lukewarm tap water after removing it. Then store it in a protective case out of the reach of children and pets.
Get Yours Today
If you need a mouthguard for teeth grinding, all we’ll need to do is take an impression. Reserve your appointment today.
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