Hello Dental Family!
Do you wake up with a sore jaw, headaches, or sensitive teeth? Have you noticed chipped teeth or been told you grind your teeth at night? You may be experiencing bruxism—the unconscious habit of clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep.
The good news? A custom-made night guard is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your smile and prevent costly dental damage.
What Does Teeth Grinding Do?
Grinding and clenching place tremendous pressure on your teeth—often more force than you use while chewing. Over time, this can lead to:
- Worn or flattened teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
- Broken fillings or crowns
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw pain or TMJ discomfort
- Morning headaches
- Tightness in the face and neck
Because grinding usually happens while you’re asleep, many people don’t realize they’re doing it until the damage has already occurred.
Why Choose a Custom Night Guard?
Unlike one-size-fits-all guards from the store, a custom night guard is made specifically for your smile using a digital scan of your teeth.
Benefits include:
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Better protection against grinding forces
- Durable, long-lasting materials
- Even distribution of biting pressure
- Helps protect your natural teeth and dental restorations
A custom fit also makes it more comfortable to wear, so you’re more likely to use it consistently.
Have Dental Implants? Protect Your Investment
Dental implants are designed to last for many years, but they still need protection.
Natural teeth have a tiny ligament that helps absorb biting forces. Dental implants do not. That means the forces created by clenching and grinding are transferred more directly to the implant and surrounding structures.
Without protection, grinding may place unnecessary stress on:
- Implant crowns
- Implant screws and components
- Surrounding bone
- Neighboring natural teeth
- Other restorations
A custom night guard helps distribute these forces more evenly, protecting both your implants and the investment you’ve made in your smile.
Protect More Than Just Your Teeth
If you’ve invested in dental work such as:
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Bridges
- Fillings
- Bonding
A custom night guard can help extend the life of your restorations by reducing the wear and tear caused by nighttime grinding.
How Do You Know If You Need One?
You may benefit from a custom night guard if you:
- Wake up with headaches or jaw pain
- Notice worn, chipped, or sensitive teeth
- Have been told you grind your teeth
- Experience jaw clicking or muscle tension
- Have crowns, veneers, bridges, or dental implants
- Want to protect your smile from future damage
Dr. Ligocki, Dr. Lauryn, and Dr. Jocellyn can also identify early signs of grinding during a routine exam—even if you don’t notice any symptoms.
Whether you grind your teeth, clench at night, or simply want to protect your crowns, veneers, or implants, there’s never been a better time to invest in your oral health. Contact our office at (630) 620-8099 to schedule your digital scan appointment to begin protecting your bite!
Keep Smiling! :o)
Yours for healthy, complete body and smile,
The Team at Ligocki Dental Group
