Night Guards in Washington, D.C.

The grinding of your teeth at night, also known as bruxism, is a common problem that affects many individuals. Although the most obvious symptom is wear on the surface of the teeth, nocturnal bruxism may also cause tooth pain, headaches, and inflammation, as well as discomfort in your jaw and neck. To protect your mouth against these effects of teeth grinding, Dr. Kenneth Ingber and his team offer custom night guards that help defend your mouth while you sleep. Custom night guards are created with high-grade materials to comfortably fit in your mouth and help improve the quality of your sleep by eliminating teeth grinding and jaw clenching. If you would like to learn more about custom night guards at Ingber Dental, schedule a consultation at our Washington, D.C. facility.

A number of indicators may suggest that you are clenching your jaw and/or grinding your teeth at night. Maybe you frequently wake up with pain in your jaw, a headache, and swelling in your lower face. Other symptoms include loose fillings or teeth, worn down enamel on the top of your back teeth, tooth sensitivity, and a receding gumline. Grinding and clenching at night are usually caused by stress but can also be the result of a sleep disorder, misaligned teeth, allergies, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). While your bruxism is being diagnosed, we will also find out the cause so your night guard may be combined with another treatment for more effective results.

After your diagnosis is made, impressions and digital x-rays of your mouth will be taken to help create your custom night guard. Ingber Dental will send these details to the dental laboratory where your night guard will be made from high-quality materials. When your night guard is complete and sent back to us, we will inform you so you can come in for a fitting. Minor adjustments can be made so your night guard fits correctly. You will also be given directions on how to care for your night guard so it lasts a long time.

For your night guard to be effective, you will need to wear it every night. Your night guard will relieve or eliminate the pain and dental issues caused by bruxism, but if it does not, please call our team so we can consider other issues or try other therapies. To help keep your night guard and mouth in good condition, you should properly clean both prior to and following each use. Be sure to bring your night guard to all future appointments, exams, and cleanings so we can repair and adjust the guard as needed.

If you have been diagnosed with nocturnal bruxism or jaw clenching, part of the cost of your night guard may be covered by your insurance company. If you have dental insurance, our team can contact your insurance carrier to obtain your benefits and coverage. During your consult, we can discuss cost estimates with or without dental insurance and payment methods. For more affordable dental care, Ingber Dental can help you apply for medical financing.

Teeth grinding can cause discomfort and pain in a number of ways. Night guards are a safe option to diminish the fatigue that results from the unpleasant side effects of nocturnal bruxism and jaw clenching. Customized night guards from Ingber Dental may also benefit the overall health of your mouth and deter future issues. If this sounds like a solution to your worries or you are interested in learning more, contact our team in Washington, D.C. to schedule a consultation.