Night Guards in Iowa City, IA

Night guards are oral appliances that are worn at night to protect teeth from damage while sleeping. Our professional dentist at Willow Creek Family Dentistry recommends night guards to individuals who suffer from bruxism.

Night guards are worn over the teeth, and are typically made from a moldable thermoplastic material like polyurethane. The material is soft, so it can be worn comfortably while sleeping. Night guards are held in place by a plastic or metal wire that wraps around the outside of the teeth.

How Do Night Guards Work?

Night guards are made from a mold of your teeth. The guard fits over your teeth, protecting them from grinding, clenching, and other forms of wear. The guard also cushions your teeth, preventing them from coming into contact with each other.

How Are Night Guards Made?

A dentist will make an impression on your teeth, and then a lab will use that impression to fabricate a custom-made mouth guard. Typically, the guards are plastic because they’re durable and easy to clean, and you can choose the color.

Reasons to Wear a Night Guard

Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you suffer from sleep apnea, a night guard can help. A night guard is a dental device you wear while you sleep. It helps prevent teeth grinding and clenching, which can keep airways open and clear.

Protect Teeth from Grinding

People who clench or grind their teeth at night may wear a night guard to protect their teeth. Grinding can fracture teeth, wear down the enamel, cause jaw pain, and lead to headaches.

A night guard is a thin, soft plastic oral appliance worn in the mouth during sleep. Night guards are custom-made to fit your mouth, and help reduce the effects of clenching and grinding on your teeth.

Reduce TMJ Pain

TMJ pain can interrupt your sleep, making your life harder. Jaw pain can also interfere with your daily activities, like talking, eating, and brushing your teeth.

Dentist-prescribed night guards can help. Night guards are custom-fitted to your mouth. They fit comfortably over your upper and lower teeth, preventing you from grinding and clenching in your sleep.

Reduce Morning Headaches

Wearing a night guard while you sleep can help you reduce morning headaches. This is because night guards prevent your teeth from grinding against each other, which can result in jaw pain.

Eliminate Sleep Disruptive Breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax too much during sleep, and this can cause you to stop breathing. This can lead to snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Another sleep condition that a night guard can help is bruxism, which is the habit of grinding your teeth. This can cause excessive wear on your teeth, as well as jaw pain and headaches. A night guard can also help with migraines, TMJ disorders, and sleep apnea.

To learn more about the perks of a night guard, get in touch with Willow Creek Family Dentistry at 2346 Mormon Trek Blvd, Suite 2600, Iowa City, IA 52246, or call dentist in Iowa City, IA at (319) 339-4456.