Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is quite common and associated with sleep motion disorder. The action of biting down hard and rubbing the teeth back and forth can be destructive to your teeth as well as cause mouth and jaw problems. Nightguards are a custom designed protective plastic appliance worn over your teeth at night to protect them when you grind unconsciously during your sleep.  

The most common symptoms of bruxism during sleep are:

• Waking up with a dull, constant headache
• Jaw soreness
• Facial pain
• Limited mouth opening
• Clicking or crackling sounds in the jaw joint
• Signs of premature wear on the top surfaces of your teeth

Your dentist can identify further signs of bruxism. Without intervention, teeth grinding can cause significant damage to your teeth including tooth loss, loose or broken teeth, loss of tooth enamel and jaw joint disorders. Shortened teeth can also change the appearance of your face and ruin your smile.

Nightguards

Most cases of bruxism can easily be treated by wearing a nightguard while you sleep. 

Nightguards don't stop the habit of teeth grinding, but it helps the patient prevent possible damage to their teeth.  A nightguard functions by protecting the teeth surfaces from being worn down from constant grinding during sleep. It also disperses jaw's forces away from the teeth and acts as a cushion, absorbing  some grinding forces. 

A nightguard is fabricated from durable hard acrylic plastic to withstand nightly grinding.   

Your Nightguard Process

The process for your custom nightguard is quick, comfortable, and is completed in two visits. 

At your first visit, we'll take an alginate impression of your teeth.  

At your second visit, you'll try in your custom nightguard. We'll make sure it is fitting properly and comfortably, and make any necessary adjustments.

Caring For Your Nightguard

It’s very important to clean your nightguard every day. If neglected, bacteria will thrive on the surface on your nightguard, causing discoloration, build up of debris, and bad odours. 

Using a soft bristle toothbrush (separate from your own toothbrush for your teeth) under warm water, give your nightguard a good brush, then rinse. 

Do not:

• soak your nightguard overnight
• use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or alcohol-based cleaning agents
• use hand sanitizer, dish soap, bleach or denture tablets
• wash your nightguard in the dishwasher

When not in use, store your nightguard in the ventilated nightguard case included with your nightguard.