Night Guards in Friendswood, TX

While MINT dentistry is well-known for our smile transformations, we also offer proactive treatments to protect your mouth from problems. Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw (medically known as bruxism) overnight is a common issue that causes problems in your whole mouth. 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, facial inflammation, plus pain in your jaw and neck. Our staff of board-certified dentists suggests night guards that are custom made to protect your teeth and jaw from nocturnal bruxism. Night guards are crafted from high-quality materials with state-of-the-art technology to fit you comfortably and prevent damage caused by grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw, helping you to achieve better sleep and have less pain in the morning. Find out more about custom night guards at MINT dentistry by scheduling a consultation at our office in Friendswood, TX.

You may have one or several signs that you are grinding your teeth and/or clenching your jaw at night. You may benefit from a night guard if you frequently experience headaches when you wake up in the morning, plus pain, swelling, or tightness in your jaw. Other signs that suggest you may need a night guard are loose teeth or fillings, ground-down enamel on your molars, tooth sensitivity, and receding gums. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching while you sleep are typically stress-related; however, it may also be the result of allergies, misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). While your dental team is assessing your bruxism, we also try to identify the underlying cause so we can create a comprehensive treatment plan.

To diagnose bruxism and determine if you need a night guard, our team will perform a thorough dental examination. You can relax in one of our treatment chairs wearing MINT sunglasses and listening to your favorite music through Beats headphones while the exam is performed. Once we diagnose your bruxism, we will take impressions and digital x-rays of your teeth to help us design your custom night guard. MINT dentistry will forward the information and design to a dental lab where your night guard will be crafted with advanced technology from high-quality materials. When your guard is returned to us, we will schedule an appointment. A member of the MINT dentistry team might make a few alterations to your guard to ensure it fits comfortably. Your dentist will also give you instructions on how to care for your night guard so it remains in great condition for a long time.

To fully benefit from your custom night guard, you have to use it every night or as often as recommended. Your guard should minimize or eliminate any problems of teeth grinding and jaw clenching, but if it continues or gets worse, schedule an appointment as soon as possible so we can discuss other treatment options. For a healthy mouth and night guard, we recommend that you clean your teeth and guard before and after each use. You should bring your night guard to every appointment at MINT dentistry so your dentist can make adjustments or repairs if they are needed.

If you are officially diagnosed with nocturnal bruxism or jaw clenching, part of your costs for a night guard will possibly be paid by your insurance. We will contact your insurance company to determine the coverage of your specific policy. During your first appointment, we will try to estimate the cost of your night guard. In order to have your night guard fit into your budget, MINT dentistry accepts several forms of payment, including low-interest medical financing. We are dedicated to giving patients of all ages and stages of life great dental care. For patients who don't have PPO dental insurance, get more information on the MINT Discount Plan.

Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw at night creates pain and other problems that make it difficult to enjoy your life. A custom night guard is a simple option to get better sleep by treating the symptoms of nocturnal bruxism and jaw clenching. Night guards from MINT dentistry can also improve the overall health of your mouth and prevent future issues. If you think that this might be the remedy for you or would like to learn more, contact our practice in Friendswood, TX to book an appointment with a board-certified MINT dentist.