Night Grinding Guard services offered in San Luis Obispo, CA
If you grind your teeth at night and it causes headaches, jaw pain, or difficulty chewing, a night grinding guard can provide lasting relief. Lynn Sayre-Carstairs, DMD, regularly prescribes night grinding guards to adults and teens to help relieve their symptoms and provide better quality rest. To schedule an appointment for a night grinding guard, call the Coast Periodontics and Laser Surgery office in San Luis Obispo, California, or book online today.
Night Grinding Guard Q & A
What is a night grinding guard?
A night grinding guard is a custom oral appliance worn during sleep. It fits comfortably over your lower arch, preventing your teeth from rubbing up against each other. In addition, a grinding guard provides an effective and affordable way to reduce the risk of enamel damage and other issues caused by teeth grinding (bruxism).
Who can benefit from a night grinding guard?
You may benefit from a night grinding guard if you experience symptoms like:
- Flat, chipped, or loose teeth
- Increased tooth pain and sensitivity
- Worn-down teeth
- Dull headache
- Poor sleep
- Jaw, neck, or face pain
- Difficulty opening your mouth to chew, bite, or speak.
What happens during a night grinding guard appointment?
At Coast Periodontics and Laser Surgery, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs provides night grinding guard consultations in the office.
During your appointment, she performs an oral exam, reviews your dental records, and asks about your symptoms.
If Dr. Sayre-Carstairs discovers signs of bruxism during an oral exam (such as chipped, cracked, or loose teeth), she runs several tests to confirm the diagnosis, including evaluating the tenderness of your jaw muscles and taking a series of oral X-rays. These tests will allow Dr. Sayre-Carstairs to identify problems in your jawbone.
After making a diagnosis, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs takes impressions of your mouth with an intraoral scanner. Then, she sends your impressions to a dental lab that manufactures a night grinding guard.
About a week later, when the lab finishes your night grinding guard, you return to the Coast Periodontics and Laser Surgery office and try on your night grinding guard. Dr. Sayre-Carstairs will also make adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.
How do I keep my night grinding guard clean?
A night grinding guard is like other oral appliances because it also collects food particles, plaque, and saliva. As a result, it’s essential to clean your night guard daily. Dr. Sayre-Carstairs recommends taking your night grinding guard out when you wake up and rinsing it in warm tap water. After you finish rinsing, gently brush your night guard with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
When you aren’t wearing the night grinding guard, keep it inside a case to prevent chips, cracks, and other types of damage.
How long do night grinding guards last?
Night grinding guards can last anywhere from six months to three years. The lifespan of a grinding guard depends on several factors, including your age, sleep hygiene, and the severity of bruxism.
If you notice that your night grinding guard is starting to wear, it’s important to reach out to Dr. Sayre-Carstairs .
To explore the benefits of a night grinding guard, call the Coast Periodontics and Laser Surgery office in San Luis Obispo, California, or book online today.