You wake up with a headache that starts at your temples and radiates down your jaw. Your partner mentions you’ve been grinding your teeth so loudly at night that it wakes them up. Or maybe you’ve noticed your teeth look shorter than they used to, with chips appearing along the edges you can’t explain. These signs point to bruxism, a condition where you clench or grind your teeth, often without realizing it’s happening.
At LALUME Dental Studio, we help patients throughout Newport Beach protect their smiles from the damage caused by nighttime teeth grinding. A custom nightguard acts as a cushion between your upper and lower teeth, preventing wear and relieving the tension that causes morning pain. Dr. Shahira Saad creates nightguards tailored specifically to your mouth, ensuring comfort and protection so you can wake up feeling refreshed instead of sore.
Teeth grinding doesn’t discriminate. It affects people of all ages, often starting during times of stress or anxiety. A 2021 survey by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute revealed that more than 70% of dentists noticed signs of teeth grinding and clenching in their patients, representing an increase of nearly 10% over the previous year. The pandemic amplified stress levels across the country, and many dentists saw the evidence literally etched into their patients’ teeth.
The reasons behind bruxism vary from person to person. Stress and anxiety top the list, causing your jaw muscles to tense even while you sleep. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea can trigger grinding episodes throughout the night. Certain medications, particularly some antidepressants, list bruxism as a side effect. Even your bite alignment plays a role when your teeth don’t fit together properly, your jaw may try to correct the problem by grinding them down.
Lifestyle factors contribute too. Caffeine consumption, especially later in the day, can increase muscle activity during sleep. Alcohol and recreational drug use affect sleep quality and jaw muscle control. Sometimes genetics are to blame, as bruxism tends to run in families.
Most people who grind their teeth have no idea they’re doing it. The action happens during sleep, when you’re completely unaware. But your teeth remember every episode. Over time, the constant pressure wears down your enamel, the protective outer layer that can’t regenerate once it’s gone. Your teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures as the underlying dentin becomes exposed.
Chips and cracks appear along biting edges, starting small but potentially leading to larger fractures. The pressure can even loosen teeth or cause them to shift position. Dental work like crowns, fillings, and veneers aren’t immune either. Grinding can crack or dislodge restorations you’ve invested in, requiring repairs or replacements.
Walking into a pharmacy and grabbing a one-size-fits-all nightguard from the shelf might seem convenient, but these generic options rarely provide adequate protection. They’re bulky, uncomfortable, and often end up in bathroom drawers after just a few nights. Custom nightguards created by your dentist offer an entirely different experience.
Your journey to a comfortable nightguard begins with precise scans of your teeth. Dr. Saad carefully captures the exact shape of your upper and lower teeth, ensuring your nightguard will fit like it was made for you because it was. These scans go to a dental laboratory where technicians craft your nightguard from durable, medical-grade materials.
The thickness and design of your nightguard depend on the severity of your grinding. Some patients need extra cushioning on specific teeth that show more wear. Others benefit from a design that also helps with jaw alignment issues. We consider all these factors when creating your personalized appliance.
The difference between a custom nightguard and a store-bought version becomes obvious from the first night you wear it. Custom nightguards fit snugly without feeling tight or uncomfortable. They stay in place throughout the night instead of slipping around or falling out. The precise fit means you can breathe normally and even speak if needed, though you’ll mostly wear it while sleeping.
Your custom nightguard protects all your teeth evenly, distributing grinding forces across the entire surface. This prevents your jaw from overcompensating in one area, which can happen with ill-fitting guards. The material is strong enough to withstand grinding forces but comfortable enough that you’ll actually want to wear it consistently.
Patients who commit to wearing their nightguards consistently notice improvements that extend beyond their teeth. Morning headaches fade away. Jaw pain and tension decrease significantly. Partners sleep better without the grinding sounds. You stop worrying about further damage to your teeth every time you visit the dentist.
The investment in a custom nightguard pays dividends by preventing costly dental repairs down the road. Replacing worn enamel is impossible. Repairing cracked teeth, replacing broken crowns, and treating TMJ disorders cost far more than a nightguard. Prevention always costs less than treatment.
Dr. Shahira Saad understands how teeth grinding affects your daily life and long-term oral health. At LALUME Dental Studio, we create custom nightguards that actually get worn because they’re comfortable and effective. Our spa-like environment in Newport Beach welcomes patients from Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Mesa Verde, Huntington Beach and throughout Orange County. With private treatment rooms, aromatherapy, and personalized attention, your nightguard fitting appointment feels more like a retreat than a dental visit.
Stop waking up with headaches and worrying about tooth damage. A custom nightguard protects your smile while you sleep, preventing problems before they start. Schedule your consultation by reaching out through our online form today.
Give us a call to speak with one of our friendly team members, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Saad.
Receive high-quality, personalized treatment recommendations from Dr. Saad and get answers to all your smile questions from the comfort of your own home.
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