Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinding Joliet, IL

MINT dentistry is popularly known for our cosmetic treatments, but we also offer proactive treatments to protect your mouth from problems. Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw (also called bruxism) overnight is a common condition that damages your teeth, gums, and jaw. While the first sign of damage is wear or damage to the surface of the teeth, chronic tooth grinding and jaw clenching can also cause loose teeth, frequent headaches, facial inflammation, plus chronic pain in your head and neck. MINT dentistry's staff of board-certified dentists offers night guards that are custom-made to protect your mouth while you sleep. Custom night guards are made with high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology for a comfortable fit that also prevents damage from jaw clenching and teeth grinding, helping you to achieve better sleep and have less pain in the morning. Learn more about night guards that are custom-made for your needs at MINT dentistry by arranging a consultation at our practice in Joliet, IL.

It's important to look for signs of clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you sleep. You may be a candidate for a night guard if you frequently experience headaches when you wake up in the morning plus pain, tightness, or swelling along your jaw. Other symptoms that may suggest the need for a night guard include loose teeth or fillings, worn-down enamel on the tops of your back teeth, tooth sensitivity, and receding gums. Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth at night are typical symptoms of chronic stress, but may also result from allergies, misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When your MINT dental team is assessing your bruxism, we also try to determine the underlying cause so we can create the best plan for your treatment.

First, to determine if you need a night guard, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination. You will be asked to relax in one of our treatment chairs with a pair of MINT sunglasses and Beats headphones while the exam is performed. After the MINT dentistry team diagnoses your bruxism, we will get impressions and digital x-rays of your mouth which will be used to design your night guard. We will send the information and design to a dental lab where your guard will be crafted from high-quality materials with advanced technology. As soon as your guard is sent back to our office, you will be scheduled for a fitting at our Joliet, IL practice. Your dentist might make minor adjustments to your appliance to give you a more comfortable fit. Your dentist will also talk to you about how to care for your guard to keep it in great condition for as long as possible.

To get optimal results from your night guard, you will need to use it whenever you sleep or as frequently as your MINT dentistry team recommends. Your guard should minimize or eliminate the pain and dental problems caused by bruxism. However, if it does not, contact our office right away. For a healthy mouth and night guard, you should clean your teeth and guard both before and after you use it. You should bring your night guard to all of your exams and cleanings so your dentist can perform repairs and make adjustments as needed.

Once you are diagnosed with nocturnal bruxism or jaw clenching, some of your costs for a night guard will possibly be covered by insurance. We will talk to your insurance company to understand your coverage and benefits. At your consultation, a MINT dentistry team member will be able to estimate your costs. To help make your treatment more affordable, we accept several payment methods and we can help you find low-interest medical financing. MINT dentistry is committed to helping patients of all ages and stages of life, in Joliet, IL, get the dental care they need. For patients who do not have PPO dental insurance, our team can tell you more about the MINT Discount Plan.

Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw at night creates pain and other problems that make it difficult to enjoy your life. A custom night guard is a great treatment to get better sleep by treating the side effects of clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth while you sleep. Custom night guards from MINT dentistry can help to boost your overall oral health while reducing the risk of more expensive issues. To learn more about nocturnal bruxism and night guards, contact our office in Joliet, IL to schedule an appointment with a board-certified MINT dentist.