Dental Night Guards

Teeth grinding or bruxism can be attributed to multiple causes, but stress and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder are the most common. Clenching and grinding teeth put excess force on the teeth and the joints in your jaw, causing damage over time. As this may be happening in your sleep only you may not be aware of it. Your dentist will be able to see a pattern of wear in your mouth however that will suggest you are grinding in your sleep. While reducing stress and TMJ exercises will help, a dental night guard will protect your teeth while you sleep.

A dental night guard is similar to a sports mouthguard, only much thicker in order to withstand the grinding. A mould is taken from your teeth and sent to a specialist laboratory. They construct the night guard from a firm rubbery material, usually taking around 7-10 days. Wearing the dental night guard while you sleep keeps your teeth separated which supports the joint in your jaw to help reduce grinding. The guard is made of a material that is soft enough to not cause damage to the teeth while also being firm enough to withstand the grinding.

If you are concerned about grinding in your sleep speak to one of our excellent Wellington dentists. Two appointments are needed for night guards, one for consultation and mould making and one for fitting the new guard. A dental night guard will help protect your teeth from cracking, so don’t delay.