Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinding in Cleveland, OH

Though MINT dentistry is most commonly known for our smile transformations, we offer several proactive treatments to help keep your teeth protected from damage. Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw (also known as bruxism) overnight is a common issue that causes damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. Although the most visible sign of damage is worn-down enamel, chronic tooth grinding and jaw clenching can manifest as symptoms like headaches, tooth pain, inflammation, and chronic head and neck pain. Our board-certified dentists recommend a night guard (oral appliance) to protect your teeth and jaw from nocturnal bruxism. Custom night guards are crafted from high-quality materials utilizing cutting-edge technology for a comfortable fit that also prevents problems from teeth grinding and jaw clenching, helping you to achieve a better night’s sleep. Learn more about how night guards can help you at MINT dentistry by arranging an appointment at our office in Cleveland, OH.

If you are clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth at night, you may begin to notice uncomfortable symptoms of nocturnal bruxism. You may be a candidate for a night guard if you frequently wake up with a headache often accompanied by tightness, swelling, or pain along your jaw. Other symptoms that suggest you may need a night guard include loose teeth or fillings, worn-down enamel on the tops of your back teeth, chronic tooth sensitivity, and a receding gumline. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching while you sleep are often symptoms of chronic stress, but you may also have allergies, misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). While a member of our highly skilled MINT dental team is assessing your bruxism, we will also try to identify the contributing factors so we can develop the best plan for your treatment.

An oral exam will need to be performed in order to officially diagnose bruxism and to determine if you would benefit from a night guard. You will be asked to relax in one of our treatment chairs with a pair of MINT sunglasses and Beats headphones while the exam is underway. After the MINT dentistry team diagnoses your bruxism, we will get impressions and digital x-rays of your bite so your custom night guard can be designed. MINT dentistry will send this information to a dental lab where your night guard will be created with advanced technology from high-quality materials. As soon as your night guard is returned to our office, you will be scheduled for an appointment at our Cleveland, OH practice. Your dentist may make minor adjustments to your guard to ensure it fits comfortably. We will also talk to you about how to care for your night guard so it remains in great condition for as long as possible.

For optimal results, you should wear your night guard whenever you sleep or as otherwise recommended by your MINT dentist. Your guard should minimize or eliminate the symptoms caused by bruxism, but if it continues or gets worse, please contact our office so we can address the problem immediately. To help keep your mouth and night guard healthy, brush your guard and teeth before and after each use. You should bring your night guard to all future appointments so we can perform repairs and make adjustments.

Your dental insurance may cover a part of the costs of your night guard if you have been officially diagnosed with bruxism or jaw clenching. We will contact your provider to understand how much your policy will cover. During your first appointment, your dentist will try to estimate the cost of your night guard. In order to have your night guard fit into your budget, MINT dentistry accepts numerous payment methods and we can help you find low-interest medical financing. We are committed to helping patients of all ages and stages of life in Cleveland, OH have access to great dental care. If you don't have PPO dental insurance, our team can tell you more about the MINT Discount Plan.

The painful symptoms of grinding and clenching your teeth can impact your everyday life. Night guards are a great treatment to diminish the sleepless nights caused by the unpleasant side effects of clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth while you sleep. Night guards from MINT dentistry can also boost oral health while reducing the risk of more expensive issues. To learn more about nocturnal bruxism and night guards, contact our practice in Cleveland, OH to schedule an appointment with MINT dentistry.