Night Guards in Houston Heights

MINT dentistry is more than cosmetic dentistry — we also offer proactive treatments to protect your mouth from problems. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding (also called bruxism) overnight is a common condition, which creates problems in your whole mouth. Although the first symptom is worn-down enamel, chronic tooth grinding and jaw clenching can manifest as symptoms like loose teeth, frequent headaches, inflammation, as well as chronic pain in your head and neck. Our staff of board-certified doctors suggests a night guard (oral appliance) to protect your teeth and jaw from nocturnal bruxism. Night guards are crafted from top-quality materials with cutting-edge technology that fits you comfortably while preventing problems caused by jaw clenching and teeth grinding so you can get better sleep and have less pain in the morning. Find out more about night guards that are custom made for your needs at MINT dentistry by scheduling a consultation at our practice in Houston, TX.

You may have one or several signs that you are clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you sleep. You may benefit from a night guard if you tend to experience headaches when you wake up in the morning plus swelling, tightness, or pain along your lower face. Some other symptoms that suggest you may need a night guard are loose fillings or teeth, ground-down enamel on your molars, chronic tooth sensitivity, and receding gums. Nocturnal bruxism is often a symptom of chronic stress; however, you may also have misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, allergies, or a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). While your team of dental professionals is assessing your bruxism, we also try to identify the contributing factors, which helps us to develop the most effective plan for your treatment.

First, to decide if you need a night guard, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination. You will be asked to relax in a massaging treatment chair with a pair of MINT sunglasses and Beats headphones while your exam is underway. Once a board-certified MINT dentist diagnoses a condition requiring an oral appliance, we will get digital x-rays and impressions of your bite which will be used to design your night guard. We will forward the information and design to a dental lab where your appliance will be created with advanced technology from high-quality materials. As soon as your guard is returned to us, we will schedule an appointment. Your dentist might make slight alterations to your appliance so it's more comfortable. Your dentist will also talk to you about how to take care of your appliance to keep it in good condition for as long as possible.

To fully benefit from your custom night guard, you have to use it whenever you sleep or as frequently as your MINT dentistry team recommends. Your guard should greatly reduce the symptoms of teeth grinding and jaw clenching but if it continues or gets worse, schedule an appointment as soon as possible so we can discuss other treatment options. To avoid problems with your night guard, we recommend that you brush your guard and teeth before each use as well as after. You should bring your night guard to all of your exams and cleanings so your dentist can perform repairs and make adjustments.

Once you are officially diagnosed with a condition like nocturnal bruxism, some of your costs for a night guard will probably be paid by insurance. Someone in our office will talk to your insurance company to understand how much your policy will cover. At your first appointment, your dentist will try to estimate the cost of your night guard. In order to have your night guard fit into your budget, our office takes several payment methods, including low-interest medical financing. We are dedicated to giving all patients in Houston, TX get the dental care they need. For patients who don't have PPO dental insurance, our team can tell you more about the MINT Discount Plan.

Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth while you sleep creates pain and other problems that make it difficult to enjoy your life. A custom night guard is a simple option to get better sleep by treating the side effects of nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching). Night guards by MINT dentistry may 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 practice in Houston, TX to schedule an appointment with a board-certified MINT dentist.