Do I Really Need A Night Guard?

Most people will grind their teeth or clench their jaw to the point of dental destruction. Bruxism, is the dental term used to describe the forceful action of clenching or grinding your teeth. Often times this happened at night during sleep. The consequences include sensitivity to hot/cold beverages, pain, headaches, gum recession, and cosmetic issues like the flattening or chipping of teeth. To address these issues root canals, crowns, bridges, and veneers are common fixes to the cosmetic problems and in severe cases, continuing to grind and clench could lead to loss of teeth. 

Healthy Teeth Vs. Teeth After Grinding

What a night guard does, is protect your teeth from wearing down or chipping. This help to prevent the damage to healthy teeth, gum tissues, and protect existing dental work.

 

You may be able to physically see the flattening of your teeth due to forceful and often unconscious grinding as seen below. Dr. Nick can also examine your smile and recommend a night guard to stop the damage to your teeth, if needed.

Common Questions

Below are common questions that we get from patients when a night guard is recommended.

How much do night guards cost?

Since nice guards are preventative, often times insurance companies will be hesitant to cover the cost. If your dental insurance does offer night guard coverage, then a portion will be covered and you will still have a patient portion to pay. Medicaid does not offer night guard coverage. If you do not have dental insurance or are paying out of pocket, our office will work with you to ensure you are able to get the dental care you need at an affordable price. 

Can I use to over the counter night guards instead?

Over the counter night guards can actually have the opposite effect. Since it is not a custom fit and does not allow your jaw to sit in the correct position, you may find that you are actually clenching and grinding more. While over the counter night guards seem as though they are more affordable, you will actually end up spending more since you will be going through them a lot faster.