Night Guards in Green Bay

What is a Night/Occlusal Guard?

A night guard is a protective plastic barrier that cushions your teeth and protects them from damage as a result of Bruxism. Patients who grind their teeth need to wear a mouthguard when they sleep to prevent cracking, chipping, or breaking their teeth.

Bruxism also causes enamel erosion which puts you at higher risk for tooth decay. By wearing a night guard, you protect your teeth and prevent pain associated with TMJ Disorders. If you think you need a night guard, contact us at Dental Studio 920 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sam Schmidt.

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Did you know…

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Teeth grinding can exert up to 250 lbs of force per square inch of the tooth surface.

Ready to schedule your appointment?

Call (920) 399-0428 today!

What To Expect At Your Night/Occlusal Guard Consultation

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Consultation

Dr. Schmidt will examine your teeth and take x-rays to look at any significant damage that’s been caused to the teeth. Any damaged teeth will need to be restored.

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Impressions

We will take impressions of your mouth to create a custom-fit plastic night guard that molds to the exact curvatures of your teeth and gums.

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Pick-Up & Treatment

It may take a few weeks for your night guard to be ready. We’ll give you a call when it’s time to pick them up and then you can begin your treatment by wearing the night guard as instructed each night.

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Follow-Up Appointments

We may ask you to return for follow-ups to see if you’re experiencing any improvement in Bruxism or TMD or if you need a replacement night guard.

What Can a Night Guard Treat?

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TMJ/TMD

Strain in the joints of your jaw as a result of teeth grinding can lead to TMJ/TMD. This results in pain in the jaw and face, headaches, popping or clicking sounds when opening your jaw, lockjaw, swelling, and difficulty chewing. By wearing a mouthguard, we prevent your jaw from clenching, which alleviates the strain that causes lockjaw, jaw tension, and headaches.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a common problem that many people face but are unaware of it. Because teeth grinding occurs in your sleep, it may never be brought to your attention unless a dentist notices damage to your teeth or a partner who sleeps next to you tells you about it.

By wearing a mouthguard, your teeth are cushioned and the plastic guard absorbs the force from your clenched jaw. This prevents your enamel from being worn down or your teeth from becoming seriously damaged.

Did you know…

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Occlusal guards are different from occlusal splints, which are used to treat sleep apnea.

Have questions about teeth whitening? Find answers here.

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Can teeth whitening damage teeth?

Professional teeth whitening that is overseen and administered by a qualified dentist will never damage your teeth. Your dentist will ensure that you get the proper whitening products and that you do not over whiten your teeth.

However, it is possible to damage the teeth by over whitening them. The peroxide-based whiteners used in the teeth whitening process can weaken the teeth and damage the enamel if they are not used properly, or are used too frequently. 

For this reason, it’s a good idea to avoid over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening kits from sources like Amazon and other websites, which could contain dangerously-high levels of peroxide. 

If you do not want to pay for professional teeth whitening services from your dentist, make sure you only use ADA-approved whitening products like Crest Whitestrips. ADA-approved products have relatively low concentrations of peroxide, so the risk of enamel damage from over-whitening is much lower.

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Which teeth whitening products actually work?

There are two categories of teeth whitening products that actually work. 

The first are abrasive whiteners, such as toothpaste that contains baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and other very mild abrasives. These abrasives work similarly to sandpaper, rubbing plaque and surface stains away from your teeth. These abrasive whiteners work on minor stains, but the abrasive is not strong enough to damage enamel. 

It is recommended that you avoid charcoal toothpaste, which has abrasives that may be hard enough to damage your enamel with frequent use. Stick to an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste product.

The second category of teeth whitening products that actually work are chemical whiteners that contain peroxide. These are available both from dentists and over-the-counter, but it’s best to work with a dentist to get your desired results, and ensure that your teeth are not damaged by over whitening. 

To explore your options in further detail and make sure you choose a safe, effective teeth whitening product, get in touch with your dentist for a consult.

Why does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?

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The precise reason that whitening causes sensitivity is not fully known, but the leading theory is that it’s due to “dentinal microtubules.” These extremely small, microscopic channels in our teeth connect the exterior of the tooth enamel to the interior nerve, allowing us to feel sensations in our teeth.

The theory is that, since peroxide-based whiteners weaken the enamel very slightly, this exposes the microtubules, which become much more sensitive. Then, as the enamel remineralizes and becomes stronger after the whitening process is over, they are sealed up again, and no longer feel overly sensitive. This would explain why the sensitivity caused by teeth whitening typically only lasts for a few days.