NIGHTGUARDS KEEP YOU FROMGRINDING YOUR TEETH PROTECT YOUR TEETH DURING STRESSFUL TIMES
O n the cover, we discussed the ways we’re trying to make dental care affordable for everyone, like having care plans that don’t depend on the insurance companies. One example of something insurance plans don’t always cover is nightguards — which is ridiculous and amazing when you consider how many Americans experience bruxism (close to 10% according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, and in our experience, likely higher). Bruxism is the grinding of teeth, especially at night when you sleep. Obviously you cannot control it — and often, it’s hard to know that it’s a problem until you experience dental damage as a result. You may wake up with a sore jaw or notice that your teeth are more sensitive than usual. Both of those are easy to ignore, especially in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but regular dental visits can help spot the problem in time because we know the signs and the right questions to ask.
is a symptom of stress) will be going away anytime soon; quite the opposite, in fact.
What’s the solution? The humble nightguard, of course.
You might remember boiling a mouthguard to fit for high school sports; an occlusal nightguard will probably remind you of that, but it’s far more comfortable, slimmer, and better-fitted. No boiling involved; we use scans and X-rays to make a device fit exactly to your teeth, which leads to a better experience all-around. That level of customization means that nightguards can be more expensive, but one will last for years and years if taken care of properly. And compared to the cost of emergency dental repair — which is where bruxism leads — it’s downright cheap. Are you a night-grinder? Are you stressed but not sure if bruxism is a factor in your life? Call us today for answers to these and other questions, and schedule an appointment for an examination and possible fitting. Make the risks of bruxism a thing of the past!
Given that Americans self-report high levels of stress (levels that are increasing), there’s no reason to believe that bruxism (which
$75 OFF CUSTOM NIGHTGUARD
2 • www.hagerstownsmiles.com
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