At Scott Jordan, DDS, we recommend nightguards to some patients as a part of their preventive care routine. If we have recommended a nightguard to you, we will be happy to discuss the reasons we believe this will be a beneficial part of your oral care routine. Here are some of the reasons we recommend nightguards to our patients:
Bruxism
Also known as clenching and grinding, this habit, which often happens subconsciously in our sleep, can damage and chip your teeth. Eventually, years of clenching and grinding can lead to worn teeth. This may cause problems of sensitivity because of exposed dentin. Bruxism can also lead to poor occlusion, or bite, making it difficult to chew or even leading to TMJ problems. Clenching and grinding may also lead to gum recession and exposed roots.
To protect your dentistry – If you recently had cosmetic dental bonding or porcelain veneers, we may recommend a nightguard to protect your dentistry. Even a small amount of clenching and grinding at night (often worsened by alcohol or certain medications) can damage your dentistry.
To Treat TMJD
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a jaw condition caused from a number of different problems – occlusion, misaligned teeth, and bruxism can all lead to pain in your jaw joints. A nightguard can provide comfort and alignment, allowing your jaw and facial muscles relax. This non-invasive treatment provides relief for many of our patients and allows their jaw to seat properly in its joint.
Not all nightguards are created equally. A custom nightguard designed just for you will treat your unique needs. Over-the-counter nightguards, mouth guards, and generic appliances can actually do more harm than good.
Nightguards in Encinitas, CA
To learn more about nightguards for jaw pain and to protect your dentistry in the Encinitas, CA area, give us a call! Dr. Scott Jordan and our entire team look forward to helping you achieve greater comfort through effective preventive dentistry.