Nightguards for Bruxism – Naperville, IL
An Easy Way to Protect Your Child’s Smile
Adults are not the only ones suffering the consequences of teeth grinding and clenching. Children also experience the negative effects of bruxism – enamel erosion, chips, cracks, and jaw pain. The good news is that our dentists can reduce these problems by providing custom, easy-to-use nightguards in Naperville. The moment you notice that your child is grinding their teeth while asleep, call our office to schedule an appointment. We’ll examine their mouth and determine if one of these devices will deliver the kind of protection they need.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a clinical term dentists use to describe teeth grinding and clenching. Although it most commonly occurs at night, many patients grind their teeth during the day as well. Unless you notice your child engaging in this habit, you may remain unaware of the problem until it’s time for a dental visit.
This is why it’s important to recognize symptoms as early as possible so that you can get your child the help they need to avoid jaw pain, damaged (cracked) teeth, tooth sensitivity, and worn-down tooth enamel.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with teeth grinding (bruxism) include:
- Jaw soreness when waking up
- Loud grinding noises while they sleep
- Your child wakes up regularly throughout the night
- They find it hard to chew food
- Their teeth are sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages
- They complain of headaches
How a Nightguard Works
A nightguard is designed to act as a barrier so that teeth cannot touch. It is supposed to be worn over the top row of teeth. The material used to create a nightguard is often highly durable and capable of withstanding the grinding effects over time.
When arriving at your child’s appointment, you can expect our team to examine their mouth and observe the kind of impact bruxism is having on their smile. If we find that a custom nightguard is necessary, we will take impressions of their mouth and send these images to a local laboratory. There, technicians will begin crafting a uniquely made oral appliance that is designed based on the specifications our team provides.
Once it is ready, you and your child will return to our office where our dentists will conduct a fitting to ensure it feels comfortable inside your child’s mouth.
If the problem occurs primarily at night, your child will need to insert it before going to bed for optimal protection.
The Benefits of Nightguards
It’s easy to go to a local drugstore and buy a one-size-fits-all nightguard; however, choosing a custom-made device will lend greater benefits, such as:
- Better protection because of the durable material that is used to create it
- A more comfortable fit for your child, which means they’ll be less likely to remove it throughout the night because of discomfort
- Reduced dental sensitivity, allowing them to enjoy the foods and beverages they consume
- Reduced jaw pain
- Healthier teeth are no longer plagued by damage or wear and tear
- Better sleep quality by reducing the number of times they wake up throughout the night
- A more comfortable bite
- Greater cost-savings for you, as you’ll be less likely to spend money on more invasive treatment in the future