Night Guards Specialist
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John E Taylor, DDS
General Dentist & Cosmetic Dentist located in Ladera Ranch, CA
Do you often wake up in the morning with a throbbing headache or jaw pain? If so, John E. Taylor, DDS, and his team have the right solution for you at the dental office in Ladera Ranch, California. Night guards are flexible pieces of plastic that protect and cushion your teeth while you sleep to prevent pain and damage from teeth grinding or TMJ. If you’re tired of starting your morning in pain, call John E. Taylor, DDS, or schedule an appointment online today.
Night Guards Q&A
What are night guards?
Night guards are custom-made pieces of flexible plastic that fit over your teeth while you sleep. They prevent you from clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth. Not only can a night guard help eliminate jaw and tooth pain, it also protects your teeth from damage.
Who needs night guards?
A custom-fit night guard is an important tool that protects your teeth from damage and relieves pain if you experience:
Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a potentially debilitating condition that causes you to grind your teeth. Most people with bruxism grind their teeth at night while they sleep, which leaves you with little control over protecting your teeth on your own.
Without treatment, bruxism can wear your teeth down, leaving them prone to chips, cracks, and breaks. Wearing a night guard can prevent the need for dental restorations, like crowns, veneers, and dental bonding.
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a painful condition that causes dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints, which connect your jaw to your skull. These joints are essential for helping you speak, chew, and open and close your mouth.
TMJ can affect the joint or the muscles surrounding it, leading to pain, inflammation, headaches, and clicking or popping sounds in the jaw. A night guard corrects your bite and lets your jaw stay in a comfortable position that relieves stress from the joints.
What is the process like for getting night guards?
Dr. Taylor has an entirely digital process for fitting custom-made night guards. Using digital X-rays and intraoral cameras, he makes an impression of your teeth to serve as a model for your night guard.
Once your night guard is ready, it’s important to wear it every night to relieve your pain and discomfort. Night guards are made to the exact specifications of your teeth and mouth, so yours should feel comfortable to wear while you sleep.
The best way to care for your night guard is to brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush, toothpaste, and warm water. This helps remove any plaque and bacteria from your night guard.
To learn more about the benefits of night guards, call John E. Taylor, DDS, or book an appointment online today.
