Night Guards
The damage you do in your sleep
Grinding and clenching, which dentists call bruxism, almost always happens at night when you have no idea
you are doing it. The forces involved are startling. Asleep, your jaw can squeeze several times harder than you
ever would while chewing, and it can keep that up for hours. Your teeth were never designed for it.
The evidence shows up gradually. Teeth wear flat and start looking shorter. Enamel chips at the edges. You
wake with a tight, sore jaw or a dull headache at your temples. Sometimes a tooth cracks outright, turning a
prevention problem into a crown or worse. If any of this sounds familiar, your mouth is telling you something.
Night Guards
What a night guard actually does
A night guard is a precisely fitted appliance you wear while sleeping. It does two jobs at once. It puts a
durable barrier between your upper and lower teeth so the grinding wears the guard instead of your enamel,
and it slightly changes your jaw position in a way that reduces the intensity of clenching itself.
Relief tends to come fast. Many patients notice their morning jaw soreness fading within the first week or
two. The long game matters even more, because every night in a guard is a night your enamel, your fillings,
and your crowns are not being ground down.
Night Guards
Why custom beats the drugstore version
We know you can buy a boil and bite guard at the pharmacy, and for a short trial run it is better than nothing.
As a long term solution it falls short. Bulky, loose fitting guards are uncomfortable enough that most people
stop wearing them, and a guard in your nightstand drawer protects nothing.
A custom guard is made from precise impressions of your teeth, in materials matched to how hard you grind.
It fits snugly without being noticed, stays put all night, and lasts for years instead of months. The guards we
make get worn, and worn guards are the only ones that work.
Night Guards
Getting yours is simple
It takes two easy visits. At the first, we examine your teeth and jaw, confirm a night guard is the right answer,
and take impressions. At the second, usually a couple of weeks later, we fit your guard, adjust it until it feels
right, and send you home with care instructions. Cleaning it takes seconds a day.
If your partner has mentioned grinding sounds, or your mornings start with a tired jaw, do not wait for a
cracked tooth to force the issue. Call (512) 646-4420 and let us take a look.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Common signs are morning jaw soreness, dull headaches, flattened or chipped teeth, increased sensitivity,
and a partner who hears grinding. Dr. Salinas can also spot the wear patterns during a regular exam, often
before you have noticed anything.
Typically several years, depending on how heavily you grind. We check yours at regular visits and let you know
when it is nearing replacement.
Many plans cover night guards partially when there is documented grinding damage. We will verify your
benefits and give you the real numbers before you commit to anything.
Related services
Preventive Dentistry
Thorough exams, gentle cleanings, digital X-rays, and periodontal care that keep
small problems from ever becoming big ones.
Dental Exams
Plenty of exams amount to a quick glance and a pat on the back. Ours do not. When you sit down in our chair, Dr. Salinas looks at every tooth individually
Restorative Dentistry
From natural-looking fillings and crowns to implants and root canal therapy, we
rebuild smiles to full strength and beauty.
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.