Night & Mouth Guard in Loves Park IL
A night guard, or a mouth guard, is a protective device that covers your teeth to prevent injury to your teeth, gums, arches, and your lips.
Night guards and mouth guards are recommended for different oral health issues, the most common being either TMJ/TMD or Bruxism. Mouth guards, which are very beneficial if you participate in contact sports or intense physical activity, are more economical. Night guards are usually created in a dental lab and are custom designed for your bite.
At Riverside Dental Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle and compassionate care that you deserve from your dentist in Loves Park. We collectively focus on making you feel at ease by providing you exceptional care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Our team goal is to develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional and caring staff. The result is a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. We also emphasize preventive care and patient education because we want you to understand why it is so important to keep your mouth healthy and how to exercise daily hygiene to accomplish it. We are located at 2028 E. Riverside Blvd., Ste 210, Loves Park, IL, 61111. Please call us today at 815-877-4300 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation of the benefits of a night guard or mouth guard for you and your smile.
Night guards and mouth guards are an effective appliance to prevent damage to your teeth, jaw, and your overall oral health. If you think you have symptoms associated with TMJ/TMD or Bruxism like headaches, chronic jaw pain, and a feeling of restlessness from disrupted sleep, then a consultation with Riverside Dental Center will be beneficial.
Looking for quality dental care? Don't wait any longer! Fill out our simple form or call our number to schedule an appointment with our skilled team of dental professionals today.
(815) 877-4300
More Facts on TMJ/TMD & Bruxism
TMJ/TMD refers to issues that develop in your jaw and are evident by headaches, teeth grinding or pain in your jaw. These disorders, if left untreated, can result into damage with your teeth and your jawbone.
TMJ, which is the temporomandibular joint, connects the temporal bones of your skull to your jaw allowing your jaw to move side to side and up and down. If this joint is inflamed or injured, the symptoms can range from pain, headaches, numbness in your face, ringing in your ears, or a jaw that becomes difficult to open or even locks.
TMJ disorders are classified into three categories:
- Myogenous TMJ problems: The most common type, Myogenous TMJ disorders include muscle related pain and are associated to the discomfort in your jaw, temple, neck, or shoulders. These issues are often treated successfully with a night guard and BOTOX® treatment.
- Jaw joint generated pain: This disorder is when the pain is from an internal derangement of TMJ, which might be the result from an injury to the condyles, a displaced disc, or a dislocated jaw.
- Degenerative joint disease: This is the result of health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
The exact cause of TMJ/TMD is often unknown, but potential factors can be:
- Stress
- Arthritis
- Genetic predisposition
- Bruxism
- Injury
- Dislocation of the Cushioning Disc
Bruxism is an unhealthy condition that is detectable by the grinding, clenching, or gnashing of your teeth. Bruxism can happen awake or during sleep. If you have sleep bruxism you might have related issues such as sleep apnea or snoring.
Common signs of bruxism include the following:
- Headaches
- Worn Teeth
- Hearing Loss
- Jaw Pain
- Fractures or Loose Teeth
- TMJ/TMD
The Different Types of Night Guards and Mouth Guards
A Soft Night Guard- This is a popular type of night guard for mild Bruxism, but not for severe teeth grinding. They are comfortable, adaptable, easy to wear, and lowest in price. This guard is not durable and is not a long-term solution.
Dual Laminate Night Guards- This guard for Bruxism is for moderate to severe teeth grinding. They are hard on the outside and soft on the inside. They will control heavy clenching and grinding and will last longer. They are thicker and more difficult to get acclimated to.
Hard Night Guards- Hard acrylic night guards for Bruxism are quite rigid and are used for severe cases of grinding, as well as TMJ. They are very durable, preventing your teeth from shifting and last the longest. They are also made from an accurate dental impression at Riverside Dental Center.
Fitting and Sizing your Night Guard or Mouth Guard
Personalizing your night guard will vary on the quality and the type. Here are a few examples:
- “One-size-fits-all”- These are off the shelf mouth guards that are not custom fitted. They will work if you are a random teeth grinder, and they are the lowest-cost option.
- “Boil and bite.”- With this retail option you boil it in water and bite it to create your own impression. It is simple to do and is popular. Good for sporting activities.
- Order online- These are night guards you order online. You need to send in your impression, and they mail back your guard.
- Made in lab- The absolute best option, you can have your guard created at Riverside Dental Center. This will provide the most accurate fit because we make them with your impression in our dental lab.
If you believe you might have a Bruxism issue, we can easily treat it with a night guard. Let your team at Riverside Dental Center diagnose the root cause and correct that before seeking other treatment. For example, sleep apnea could be the underlying cause.
Meet Dr. Dimke
Dr. David Dimke is a compassionate and skilled dentist who has been serving patients for over 20 years. As the team dentist for the Rockford IceHogs, he understands the importance of precision and excellence in his work.
Meet Dr. Hermanson
Dr. Joshua Hermanson is a talented dentist who is passionate about helping his patients achieve their best smiles. He has a gentle and caring approach to dentistry and is committed to providing exceptional care to each patient.
Meet Dr. Zammuto
Meet Dr. Peter Zammuto, a passionate dentist who graduated from Midwestern Dental in 2015 and has been providing exceptional dental care for 8 years. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve optimal oral health.
Meet Dr. Konieczki
Dr. Corey Konieczki is a talented and experienced dentist who is passionate about helping his patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles. He was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois and is proud to serve his local community.
Proper At-Home Care of your Night Guard or Mouth Guard
It is important to keep your night guard or mouth guard clean. Rinse the guard first and then brush it using toothpaste and a soft bristle toothbrush. Store your guard in a proper case.
With proper care your guard will last a long time. Eventually your guard may need to be replaced. Please bring your guard to your appointments so we can examine it for any signs of wear and to confirm it is still fitting correctly.
Superior Dentistry with A Personal Touch
The entire team at Riverside Dental Center believes that you should have sufficient information to make educated and informed decisions about your oral health, treatment options, and the choice of your dentist in Loves Park. You will find all this essential information on our website, including directions to our Loves Park office, service descriptions, patient forms, patient education resources, and more.
We are located at 2028 E. Riverside Blvd., Ste 210, Loves Park, IL, 61111. Please call us today at 815-877-4300 to schedule an appointment for your dream smile. Let us smile together.