Night Guards In Chesterfield MO
You may not even know if you grind your teeth while you sleep, but over time, this tooth-grinding, or bruxism, can wear down the enamel of your teeth, leading to soreness and damage that may require costly treatment. But there are ways to prevent this damage and wear to your teeth. The best way to protect your teeth if you suffer from bruxism is with a night guard, otherwise known as an occlusal guard.
How Do I Know if I Grind My Teeth?
There are many symptoms you can watch for to determine if you grind your teeth. If you have a constant dull headache or jaw soreness upon waking, you may suffer from bruxism. The teeth can become sensitive to hot and cold as the protective enamel is worn away. Often, it is a partner who first notices the sound of you grinding your teeth. But the best way to determine if you are a bruxism sufferer is with a thorough examination by Chesterfield dentist Dr. Rahm.
Dr. Rahm can inspect your teeth and look for signs of wear or damage. If he finds evidence of bruxism, an occlusal guard can help prevent further damage to your teeth and jaw and may ease the other symptoms of bruxism, as well.
What Is a Night Guard?
Occlusal guards are an appliance, usually made of acrylic. The guard is crafted to comfortably and securely fit over your teeth. The occlusal guard holds your teeth apart while you sleep and covers the enamel, preventing further wear and protecting your teeth from grinding and clenching.
The occlusal guard, or night guard, is inserted at bedtime and removed when you wake up. Some patients find they only grind their teeth in times of stress and only need to use their occlusal guard occasionally, such as in the weeks before a test or other major event. Others suffer from chronic bruxism and should use the guard every night.
Occlusal Appliance (Night Guard)
How Often Should I Replace My Night Guard?
We custom-make your occlusal guard to fit snugly to your teeth for a comfortable fit that won't bother you as you sleep. However, over time your teeth may shift, and you may find that the guard doesn't fit as well as it used to. If this happens, contact our Chesterfield, MO dental office to schedule an appointment. We may be able to adjust the fit.
Depending on the severity of your bruxism, a single occlusal guard can last for several years, as long as your teeth don't shift. You'll know it's time to replace your occlusal guard if the acrylic is worn away or if it no longer fits comfortably.
Give Your Teeth a Good Night's Sleep in Chesterfield
If you grind your teeth or would like more information about how custom-made occlusal guards can protect you and your family's smiles, call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rahm.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few different circumstances in which you might need a mouth guard.
Mouth Guard for Sports in 63005
If you or a family member participate in sports, the right guard can protect against injuries to your teeth and mouth.
Did you know that roughly 40% of dental emergencies are caused by sports injuries? Investing in a custom guard designed to fit your mouth offers many benefits that a generic guard purchased at a store cannot, such as better protection and a more secure fit.
Mouth Guard for Sleep
Patients who suffer from bruxism, or clenching and grinding of their teeth, may also benefit from custom mouth guards in Chesterfield, MO. Bruxism typically occurs at night, while you sleep, and can cause a host of problems such as:
- Excessive wear to your teeth
- Frequent headaches, especially in the morning
- Pain in your neck and shoulders
- Issues with your TMJ, or temporomandibular joint
A mouth guard can be worn comfortably at night and protects your teeth from the damage and pain caused by bruxism.
Dr. Rahm and your team at Chesterfield Valley Dental can customize a mouth guard that will protect your teeth no matter what your specific needs are. If you or your loved one could benefit from a custom mouth guard, contact our office today to learn more about how we can help you.
Nearly everyone experiences an occasional headache, but it's usually easy to find relief with over-the-counter pain medications. If you wake up every day with a headache accompanied by pain and soreness in your jaw, neck, or shoulders, however, you may have the teeth grinding habit that we call bruxism.
BOTOX in Chesterfield
Fortunately, many dentists offer therapies like night guards to minimize grinding and clenching that damages your teeth and places added stress on your TMJ or jaw joint. But did you know that BOTOX for headache relief in Chesterfield, MO helps alleviate these symptoms in many cases?
Habitually clenching and grinding your teeth stresses the muscles in your jaw and can become painful. As the pain spreads to other muscles on the sides and top of your head, you develop a toothache. The symptoms of teeth grinding and TMJ pain range from mild to debilitating. But many patients in Chesterfield, MO have discovered the benefits of BOTOX® injections to relieve their TMJ pain and headaches. Given every three months, BOTOX® helps minimize the frequency and severity of these painful symptoms.
Let Us Provide the Headache Relief You Need
To improve your quality of life free from pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Rahm and his dental team. They'll explain the benefits of choosing BOTOX® to relieve TMJ headache pain.
Meet Our Doctor:
Robert Rahm DDS
CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. RAHM for being named one of the Top Dentists in the St. Louis area by St. Louis Magazine and Top Dentists USA 2018, 2019, and 2020!
Dr. Rahm really enjoys getting to know his patients personally - it's the best part of his day! Many of our patients are friends, neighbors, family and other members of our schools and community. His goal is to personally care for each patient as he would his own friend or family member. He believes in patients having a ...