You’ve gone in for your routine checkup, and now your family dentist in North Seattle is recommending a night guard. This may have been something mentioned before, and now your dentist would really like to set you up with one.
No, this isn’t just for extra money for them. A night guard is a great way to protect the teeth when you sleep, and here are the most common reasons a dentist recommends one.
You’re Grinding Your Teeth at Night
When you sleep, you have little control over what your body is doing. For most people, sleep is a peaceful time, but there are some who will grind their teeth. A family dentist in North Seattle is going to see signs of this, and it makes it clear that a night guard is needed.
The night guard will sit over your teeth when you sleep. There’s a layer of protection, so that when you do grind, you’re not damaging the teeth. After all, grinding leads to your teeth being worn down and damaged, increasing the risk of oral health problems. Since you can’t stop yourself from grinding, it’s best to have a layer of protection over the top instead.
You Clench Your Teeth at Night
Maybe you don’t grind, but you could clench. You’ll often experience headaches or a painful jaw when you wake up in the morning. This is because the muscles in the mouth haven’t been able to relax. Annoyingly, there’s little that you can do about the clenching, except to get to the root of why it happens.
Your family dentist in North Seattle will just want to make sure your teeth are protected. Like with grinding, the clenching is wearing down the enamel on the teeth, causing a higher risk of problems. So, you need to get a night guard to at least protect from the damage.
The Drug Store Night Guard Is Damaging Your Gums
Did you decide to get a cheaper night guard when your dentist first mentioned the need? This is common as you look to save money, but your dentist may be worried about other damage. While you’ve stopped the damage to your teeth, the drug store night guard doesn’t fit your mouth properly, and now you’re damaging your gums.
So, your family dentist in North Seattle is likely opening the conversation up again about a guard that is made specifically for you. The guard is fitted to the shape of your teeth, and it will be wary of where your gumline is to prevent damage there. If you allow the gum damage to continue, you open up your chances to infection and other oral health problems, which means more expensive treatment in the future.
If your dentist is recommending a night guard, there are some good reasons for it. Discuss the need with your family dentist in North Seattle at your next appointment, and look into the most cost-effective option for you and your insurance.
