Are you…

• Waking up with a sore jaw or facial pain?
• Noticing flattened, chipped, or cracked teeth?
• Having increased tooth sensitivity?
• Experiencing frequent headaches, especially when waking up?

Nightguards Can Help…

Prevent Wear from Bruxism

This condition involves involuntary grinding or clenching, which often occurs during sleep. Nightguards create a physical barrier to absorb the force of grinding and preventing tooth wear, chipping, and fractures.

Alleviate TMJ Pain

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. Nightguards can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders by reducing muscle tension and preventing excessive jaw movement.

Keep Headaches Away

Teeth grinding contributes to tension headaches. Nightguards can help reduce muscle tension and clenching, which can lead to waking up with fewer headaches.

Minimize Tooth Sensitivity

Teeth that are worn down because of grinding can become hypersensitive to hot, cold, or acidic foods and drinks. Nightguards can help minimize your discomfort by reducing wear.

Protect Your Dental Work

Nightguards can safeguard crowns, veneers, and other dental restorations from damage caused by bruxism.

Off-the-Shelf vs. Dentist-Made

Over-the-counter (OTC) Nightguards

These pre-fabricated nightguards are readily available at drugstores and online retailers. They are typically one-size-fits-all and made of a boil-and-bite material that you mold to your teeth at home. While they’re affordable and readily available, they may not provide a perfect fit, which can lead to discomfort and reduced effectiveness.

Custom-fitted Nightguards

These nightguards are designed by your dentist using an impression of your teeth to ensure a precise fit that maximizes comfort, effectiveness, and durability. They are more effective for preventing bruxism and TMJ issues and have a longer lifespan than over-the-counter guards. However, they do require additional dental appointments for impression and fitting.

Wearing & Caring for Your Nightguard

Wearing them

• Use your nightguard every night as instructed by Dr. Kirk.
• If you find it uncomfortable, start with shorter periods and gradually increase wear time.
• Remove your nightguard when you wake up, and store it in a clean, dry case.

Cleaning them

• Rinse your nightguard with clean, cool water after each use.
• Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive toothpaste.
• Periodically disinfect it with a solution recommended by your dentist. Avoid harsh chemicals or hot water, which can damage the nightguard.