At Heroes Dental, one of the toughest things that we see people fight while trying to protect their smile is bruxism – otherwise known as teeth grinding. This nightly wear on your teeth can leave you exhausted when you wake up.
But, there is something that you and the rest of the 8% of people affected by bruxism can do to confront its symptoms: get fitted for a mouthguard.
A good mouthguard will go a long way towards alleviating the damage that nightly teeth grinding can cause to your smile, keeping it beautiful and your confidence high.
The right #HeroesDental #mouthguard can help you beat that nightly #grind Click To TweetHow Do I Know If I Have Bruxism?
The signs of bruxism might seem obvious, like pain in the jaws when waking up or changes in the way teeth look, but there are some signs that you might not immediately connect to the condition.
Headaches, earaches, and neck pain can all be the result of clenching your jaw through the night.
As bruxism is typically related to stress, you should take your current situation – whether it be at work or home – into account when deciding whether your symptoms are the result of teeth grinding and if it requires a trip to the dentist.
What To Expect On Your Trip to the Dentist
You will have to go to the dentist twice during the process of getting fitted for a customized mouth guard. Don’t let the extra trip dissuade you, though. It’s absolutely necessary and worth it.
Your Heroes Dental dentist will give you an examination the first time you go and take your measurements to make sure the mold they make will yield a perfect match for your teeth.
When you come back, if everything went well and your night guard fits like a dream, you’ll be able to take it home that night and start shielding your smile.
The Cost and Benefits of a Good Mouthguard
As important as it is to all of us to have that white, luminous smile, we still need to know that the necessary dental work is within our budgets and our money is being well-spent.
In general, you expect a custom mouth guard to cost in the range of $300 to $500. The cost will vary from person to person depending on the condition of their teeth, as well as the materials used to create it.
Those materials will also determine the durability of the guard, with most lasting anywhere from six months up to five years.
The benefits of a well-made custom mouthguard are always worth the price. People suffering from bruxism can expect their night-time protectors to do all of the following:
- Get rid of morning pain and headaches
- Improve breathing and eliminate snoring
- Allow the user to get a good night’s rest
- Stop teeth grinding (an important one)
- Avoid chipping, loosening, and other serious tooth damage
- Reduce stress, tension, and discomfort
- Help improve tooth alignment
The list above is, of course, not an exhaustive one. There are benefits for enamel, existing dental work, and the always-important financial one of reducing the need for expensive dental repairs.
There is no need to continue to suffer from the painful side effects of bruxism. The quicker you address the problem, the healthier your smile will be in the future.
Heroes Dental has the experience to help you get fitted for the perfect mouthguard to protect those pearly whites.
Our family friendly dentist offices throughout the Rio Grande Valley offer the perfect relaxing atmosphere for you to come in and feel confident that you are being taken care of by a dentist who truly cares about your dental health.
You can rely on Heroes Dental to get you on your way to better sleep and a stronger smile. Contact us today at any of our dental offices located in Laredo, Mission, San Juan, Pharr, and Edinburg.