Night Guards in Bethesda & Chevy Chase, MD

Teeth grinding at night, also known as bruxism, is a common problem that affects many people. While the most visible sign of damage is wear on the surface of the teeth, nocturnal bruxism can also cause headaches, tooth pain, and inflammation, as well as discomfort in your jaw and neck. To protect your mouth against the effects of teeth grinding, dentist Dr. Despina Markogiannakis offers custom night guards at her Chevy Chase, MD dental practice that can protect your mouth while you sleep. Custom night guards are made from high-quality materials to fit comfortably and help improve the quality of your sleep by reducing teeth grinding and jaw clenching. To learn more about custom night guards at Smiles of Chevy Chase, schedule an appointment at our office.

There are many signs that you may be grinding your teeth and/or clenching your jaw at night. You could wake up with a headache, tightness or pain in your jaw, as well as swelling in your lower face. Other signs include loose teeth or fillings, worn down enamel on the top of your back teeth, tooth sensitivity, and a receding gumline. Teeth grinding and clenching at night are typically caused by stress, but it may also be the result of allergies, misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). When Dr. Marko is diagnosing your bruxism, she will also try to determine the cause so your night guard can be combined with another treatment for more effective results.

After Dr. Markogiannakis diagnoses your bruxism, she will take impressions and digital x-rays of your mouth so your custom night guard can be created. Smiles of Chevy Chase will send your information to a dental laboratory where your night guard will be crafted out of high-quality materials. When your night guard is sent back to our office, you will come in to have it fitted. Dr. Marko may make minor adjustments so your night guard fits comfortably. We will also give you instructions on how to care for your night guard so that it lasts a long time.

For your night guard to be effective, you need to wear it every night. Your night guard is designed to minimize or eliminate the pain and dental problems caused by bruxism. However, if it does not, please contact our office so Dr. Marko can look for other issues or try other treatments. To help keep your mouth and night guard healthy, you should properly clean your teeth and guard before and after each use. Your night guard should be brought in to all future appointments so Dr. Marko can make adjustments or repairs as needed.

If you have been diagnosed with nocturnal bruxism or jaw clenching, part of the cost of your night guard will likely be covered by your dental insurance. If you have dental insurance, our office can contact your insurance carrier to confirm your coverage and benefits. During your consultation, Dr. Marko can discuss cost estimates, with or without dental insurance, and various payment methods we accept. To make your treatment more affordable, Smiles of Chevy Chase can help you apply for medical financing.

Teeth grinding can cause discomfort and pain in a variety of ways. Night guards are a great option to diminish the sleepless nights caused by the unpleasant symptoms of nocturnal bruxism and jaw clenching. Custom night guards from Smiles of Chevy Chase can also improve the overall health of your mouth and prevent future issues. If you think that this might be the remedy for you, or if you would like to learn more, contact our dental office in Chevy Chase, MD to book a consultation with experienced dentist Dr. Markogiannakis.