Night Guards in Reedley, CA
Do you wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or worn-down teeth? You may be clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep without realizing it.
A night guard is a custom oral appliance designed to help protect your teeth from the effects of nighttime teeth grinding and clenching. At Reedley Family Dental, we can evaluate your teeth, bite, jaw, and symptoms to determine whether a night guard may be appropriate for you.
If you are looking for night guards in Reedley, CA, schedule a dental evaluation to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.
What Is a Night Guard?
A night guard is a removable dental appliance worn over the teeth, typically while sleeping.
Night guards can help create a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth for patients who grind or clench their teeth during sleep.
Depending on the appliance and your individual needs, a night guard may help reduce direct tooth-to-tooth contact and protect the teeth from excessive wear.
A night guard does not necessarily eliminate the underlying reason a person clenches or grinds. Instead, it is generally used as part of a treatment approach designed to protect the teeth and manage related symptoms.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, occurs when a person clenches or grinds their teeth.
It can happen while awake or during sleep. Sleep-related teeth grinding can be particularly difficult to recognize because you may not be aware that you are doing it.
Over time, repeated grinding and clenching can contribute to:
- Tooth wear
- Chipped or fractured teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw muscle soreness
- Morning jaw discomfort
- Headaches
- Damage to dental restorations
- Increased stress on the teeth
Not everyone who experiences these symptoms has bruxism, so a dental examination is important when symptoms persist.
Signs You May Need a Night Guard
You may want to discuss a night guard with your dentist if you notice:
- Waking up with sore or tired jaw muscles
- Morning headaches
- Tooth sensitivity without another obvious cause
- Flattened or worn tooth surfaces
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked or damaged teeth
- Frequent clenching
- Jaw discomfort
- Damage or unusual wear to crowns, fillings, or other restorations
- A partner noticing grinding sounds while you sleep
Your dentist can examine your teeth and bite for signs of excessive wear and determine whether a night guard may be appropriate.
How Does a Night Guard Protect Your Teeth?
When you grind or clench your teeth, the upper and lower teeth can come into repeated contact.
A night guard places a protective appliance between the teeth.
This can help reduce direct tooth-to-tooth contact and may protect the enamel and dental restorations from excessive mechanical forces.
The exact effect depends on the cause and severity of your grinding or clenching and on the type of appliance used.
A night guard is therefore best viewed as one part of a broader dental treatment plan when bruxism or related problems are present.
Custom Night Guards vs. Store-Bought Guards
There are many over-the-counter mouth guards available in stores and online.
However, a generic appliance may not provide the same level of fit and customization as a professionally designed dental appliance.
Custom Night Guards
A custom night guard is designed based on your teeth and bite.
Potential advantages include:
- Personalized fit
- Better adaptation to your individual mouth
- Consideration of your bite
- Professional evaluation before treatment
- Follow-up care when adjustments are needed
Store-Bought Mouth Guards
Over-the-counter products are available in different designs and price ranges.
However, they may not fit your teeth as precisely as a professionally made appliance.
Some patients may also find generic guards bulky or uncomfortable.
If you have significant tooth wear, dental restorations, jaw symptoms, or other oral health concerns, it is especially important to have your needs evaluated before choosing an appliance.
How Are Custom Night Guards Made?
The process depends on the type of appliance recommended for you.
1. Dental Examination
Your dentist examines your teeth, gums, bite, jaw, and existing dental restorations.
The examination can help identify signs of grinding, clenching, tooth wear, cracks, or other conditions that may need treatment.
2. Discussing Your Symptoms
Tell your dentist about symptoms such as:
- Morning jaw pain
- Headaches
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth grinding
- Clenching
- Broken teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Difficulty sleeping
This information helps your dental team understand your concerns and determine whether a night guard may be appropriate.
3. Dental Impressions or Digital Scanning
Depending on the appliance and technology used, measurements, impressions, or digital scans may be taken to create a night guard that fits your teeth.
4. Appliance Fabrication
The night guard is created based on your individual dental anatomy and treatment needs.
5. Fitting and Follow-Up
Your dentist will evaluate the fit and explain how to wear and care for the appliance.
If the night guard feels uncomfortable or does not fit correctly, contact the dental office rather than continuing to wear an appliance that causes problems.
Who Can Benefit From a Night Guard?
Night guards may be appropriate for patients who experience signs of nighttime grinding or clenching.
They may be particularly useful when there is evidence of:
- Excessive tooth wear
- Repeated tooth damage
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Dental restoration wear
- Jaw muscle discomfort
- Sleep-related clenching or grinding
However, not every patient with jaw pain or headaches needs a night guard.
A proper evaluation is important because symptoms can have many possible causes.
Can a Night Guard Stop Teeth Grinding?
A night guard primarily helps protect the teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching.
It does not necessarily stop the behavior itself.
If you continue to grind or clench while wearing a night guard, the appliance can serve as a protective barrier between the teeth.
Your dentist can also evaluate whether other factors may be contributing to your symptoms and determine whether additional treatment or evaluation is appropriate.
Night Guards for Jaw Pain
Teeth grinding and clenching can place stress on the muscles and structures involved in chewing.
Some patients experience jaw soreness or fatigue, particularly in the morning.
A night guard may be considered when there is evidence that clenching or grinding is contributing to the symptoms.
However, jaw pain can have many causes. It may be related to dental problems, muscle tension, the temporomandibular joint, trauma, or other conditions.
For this reason, persistent jaw pain should be evaluated rather than automatically treated with a night guard.
Night Guards and Tooth Sensitivity
Grinding can contribute to tooth wear, which may increase sensitivity in some patients.
However, sensitivity can also result from cavities, gum recession, enamel erosion, cracked teeth, worn fillings, or other dental conditions.
If you have sensitive teeth, your dentist should first determine the underlying cause.
A night guard may be recommended when grinding or clenching is contributing to the problem.
Night Guards and Dental Crowns
Patients with crowns may be concerned about protecting their restorations from nighttime grinding.
Excessive clenching and grinding can place mechanical stress on teeth and dental restorations.
If you have crowns and signs of bruxism, your dentist can evaluate your bite and determine whether a night guard may help protect your restoration.
Learn more about dental crowns in Reedley, CA.
Night Guards and Dental Fillings
Nighttime grinding can also place stress on fillings.
If you repeatedly experience chipped or damaged fillings, your dentist can examine the affected teeth and determine whether clenching or grinding may be contributing to the problem.
Our bonding and white fillings page provides more information about tooth-colored restorative treatment.
Night Guards and Cracked Teeth
Grinding and clenching can contribute to mechanical stress on teeth.
If you notice a cracked, chipped, or painful tooth, do not assume that a night guard alone will solve the problem.
The tooth should be evaluated first to determine the extent of the damage and whether restorative treatment is necessary.
Depending on the condition of the tooth, treatment may involve a filling, crown, root canal therapy, or another approach.
Learn more about root canal treatment when a damaged tooth has involvement of the dental pulp.
Night Guards and Occlusal Adjustment
In some cases, your dentist may identify an uneven bite or another occlusal issue that needs to be evaluated separately.
An occlusal adjustment may be considered in appropriate situations.
However, occlusal adjustment and night guard therapy are not interchangeable treatments.
Your dentist can determine which approach, if any, is appropriate based on your bite and symptoms.
How Do I Care for My Night Guard?
Proper care can help keep your appliance clean and in good condition.
Follow the specific instructions provided by your dentist, but general care may include:
- Rinse the appliance after removing it
- Clean it according to your dentist’s instructions
- Store it in its protective case
- Allow it to dry appropriately before storage
- Keep it away from pets
- Avoid exposing it to excessive heat
- Bring it to dental appointments when requested
Do not use cleaning products that could damage the material unless they have been recommended for your specific appliance.
How Often Should a Night Guard Be Replaced?
There is no single replacement schedule that applies to every patient.
The lifespan of a night guard depends on factors such as:
- How frequently it is worn
- The severity of grinding
- The amount of force generated during clenching
- Appliance material
- Cleaning and storage
- Changes in your teeth or bite
If the appliance becomes damaged, develops cracks, changes shape, or no longer fits correctly, contact your dentist for an evaluation.
What If My Night Guard Feels Uncomfortable?
A new appliance may feel unfamiliar at first.
However, significant pain, persistent irritation, difficulty closing your mouth normally, or an appliance that does not fit correctly should be evaluated.
Do not attempt to significantly reshape or modify a custom night guard yourself.
Contact your dental office so the appliance can be evaluated and adjusted when appropriate.
Can Children or Teenagers Use Night Guards?
Some children and teenagers may grind their teeth, but treatment decisions are different for growing patients.
Because children’s teeth, jaws, and bite are developing, a dental evaluation should be performed before deciding whether a night guard is appropriate.
Parents should discuss signs such as:
- Grinding noises during sleep
- Tooth wear
- Jaw discomfort
- Morning headaches
- Tooth sensitivity
Your dentist can determine whether monitoring, a dental appliance, or another approach is appropriate.
Night Guards and Sleep
Night guards are commonly associated with nighttime teeth grinding.
However, sleep-related symptoms can have causes other than bruxism.
If you experience significant sleep problems, loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness, discuss these concerns with an appropriate healthcare professional.
A dental night guard should not be considered a substitute for evaluation of a possible sleep disorder.
Why Choose Reedley Family Dental for Night Guards?
A night guard should be selected based on your individual teeth, bite, symptoms, and oral health.
At Reedley Family Dental, we can evaluate your teeth and look for signs of grinding, clenching, tooth wear, cracks, or damage to dental restorations.
We can also determine whether a custom night guard is appropriate or whether another dental treatment should be considered first.
Our dental team can help you address:
- Teeth grinding
- Teeth clenching
- Tooth wear
- Tooth sensitivity
- Chipped or damaged teeth
- Jaw discomfort
- Protection of dental restorations
- Custom night guard fitting and follow-up
Frequently Asked Questions About Night Guards in Reedley, CA
How much does a night guard cost in Reedley, CA?
The cost depends on the type of appliance recommended, the materials used, and your individual dental needs.
A dental examination is the best way to determine which type of night guard may be appropriate for you and provide an accurate treatment estimate.
Is a custom night guard better than an over-the-counter mouth guard?
A custom night guard is designed around your individual teeth and bite, which can provide a more personalized fit.
However, the appropriate appliance depends on your oral health and the reason the appliance is being recommended.
Can I wear a night guard if I have crowns?
Many patients with crowns can use a night guard, but your dentist should evaluate your teeth, restorations, and bite first.
This is especially important if you have significant grinding or a history of damaged dental restorations.
Can a night guard help with headaches?
Some headaches may be associated with nighttime clenching or grinding.
However, headaches have many possible causes. A dental evaluation can help determine whether there are signs that bruxism may be contributing to your symptoms.
Can a night guard help with jaw pain?
A night guard may be appropriate when teeth grinding or clenching is contributing to jaw muscle discomfort.
However, jaw pain can have multiple causes, so persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a dental professional.
How long does a custom night guard last?
There is no universal lifespan.
The appliance may need to be replaced when it becomes significantly worn, damaged, distorted, or no longer fits properly.
Should I wear my night guard every night?
If your dentist recommends nighttime use, follow the wearing schedule provided for your specific appliance.
If the appliance causes pain or significant discomfort, contact your dental office for an evaluation.
Can I eat while wearing a night guard?
Night guards are generally intended to be worn while sleeping rather than while eating.
Follow the specific instructions provided with your appliance.
Schedule a Night Guard Consultation in Reedley, CA
If you grind or clench your teeth while sleeping, wake up with jaw discomfort, or notice unusual tooth wear, Reedley Family Dental can evaluate your symptoms and discuss whether a custom night guard may be appropriate.
We can examine your teeth, bite, and existing dental restorations and help determine the most appropriate approach for protecting your oral health.
Reedley Family Dental
929 W Manning Ave.
Reedley, CA 93654
Phone: (559) 637-0123
If you are searching for a night guard dentist in Reedley, CA or custom night guards in Reedley, CA, contact Reedley Family Dental to schedule an evaluation.