Why a Custom Nightguard from Your Winter Park Dentist Makes All the Difference
If you often wake up with a sore jaw, headaches, or teeth that feel unusually sensitive, you may be clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep. Known as bruxism, this habit affects millions of people; often without them realizing it. As a Winter Park dentist committed to your long-term comfort and oral health, we see the effects of nighttime grinding every single day. The good news is that a well-made custom nightguard can protect your teeth, relax your jaw muscles, and make mornings feel more comfortable.
At our Winter Park dental office, we design and fabricate custom nightguards using the latest digital scanning and 3D printing technology. These thin, precisely shaped appliances are dramatically more comfortable (and significantly more protective) than the bulky “boil-and-bite” versions available in stores. If you’ve tried an over-the-counter guard in the past and felt discouraged, a custom option may change everything.
Below, we’ll walk through why grinding occurs, how a custom nightguard protects your teeth, and when it may be time to schedule an appointment.
Why Do We Clench or Grind Our Teeth?
Clenching and grinding can happen during the day or night, but nighttime bruxism is particularly common because it occurs unconsciously. Many patients are surprised when we tell them they’ve likely been grinding in their sleep for years without realizing it.
Stress and Tension Are the Most Common Causes
The number one reason people grind their teeth is stress. When your body is under pressure, your muscles (including those in your face and jaw) can remain active even as you sleep. Your brain continues processing stress while you rest and the jaw muscles often respond by tightening or engaging repeatedly throughout the night.
Sleep-Related Factors
Grinding is also associated with:
Light or disrupted sleep
Snoring or airway resistance
Fatigue and muscle tension
Certain sleep positions
These patterns can contribute to repeated jaw activity while you’re sleeping
Lifestyle Contributors
Caffeine, alcohol, vigorous exercise late at night, and certain medications may increase muscle activity during sleep, making grinding more likely.
Bite and Alignment Factors
While stress is the most common trigger, some individuals grind because of how their teeth fit together. A misaligned bite can cause certain muscles to overwork during sleep.
Regardless of the cause, the result is similar: strain on the jaw, wear on the teeth, and long-term damage if left unaddressed.
Why a Custom Nightguard Is the Best Choice
Many patients initially try a store-bought guard because it seems simple and inexpensive. Unfortunately, what feels like a convenient option often becomes the reason patients give up on nightguards altogether.
Boil-and-Bite Guards Are Bulky and Uncomfortable
Over-the-counter guards are made to fit a wide range of mouth shapes and sizes. Because of this, they are:
Thick and bulky
Hard to adapt to
Prone to poor retention
Difficult to speak with
Sometimes irritating to the gums
Many patients tell us they couldn’t sleep with a store-bought guard in place, and just take it off to fall asleep.
This experience can be discouraging. A nightguard that doesn’t fit well can make patients feel as though wearing one simply isn’t possible.
Our Custom Nightguards Are Thin, Precise, and Comfortable
At our Winter Park dental office, we offer a mix of nightguards including a newer 3D-designed, digitally printed nightguards using FDA cleared materials and scanning technology. This reduces bulk while keeping the protective thickness exactly where it’s needed.
A custom-made nightguard offers several advantages:
1. Precise Fit
Digital scans capture every contour of your teeth. Your guard snugs into place comfortably and stays in place throughout the night.
2. Thin Where You Want It, Strong Where You Need It
A well-designed nightguard is not uniformly thick. We contour it to protect the areas where grinding pressure is highest, while minimizing thickness everywhere else. Even after digital design, our doctor fits it on for you in our office and makes micro-adjustments if necessary.
3. Higher Comfort = Better Compliance
Patients who receive a custom nightguard and can sleep easily with it often forget it’s even there. When a nightguard is comfortable, you’re much more likely to wear it; and reap its long-term benefits. It becomes a good habit.
4. Durable Materials
Professional materials last significantly longer than store-bought plastics, which tend to soften, deform, or crack with use.
5. Better Protection for Teeth and Jaw Joints
A properly designed guard distributes pressure evenly, helping protect not just the teeth, but also the jaw muscles and TMJ.
Symptoms That Suggest You May Need a Nightguard
Many patients who grind aren’t aware it's happening; until they begin to notice signs that something feels “off.” If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to be evaluated for a custom nightguard:
Waking up with jaw soreness or tightness
Morning headaches or temples that feel tender
Increased sensitivity to cold
Small chips or fractures appearing on teeth
Flattened or worn-down biting edges
Tension in the neck or face
Clicking or popping in the jaw joint
Your partner notices or hears grinding at night
Even subtle symptoms can progress over time. Catching bruxism early can prevent larger problems such as fractures, root canal needs, gum recession, and significant enamel loss.
What to Expect When Getting a Custom Nightguard in Winter Park
The process is simple, comfortable, and entirely digital:
Evaluation – We check your teeth, muscles, and joints to determine the best type of guard for your symptoms.
Digital scan – A quick, no-mess 3D scan replaces traditional impressions.
3D design – Your guard is digitally shaped based on your bite and grinding patterns.
3D printing and finishing – We fabricate the guard in-office using high-quality resin materials.
Fitting and instructions – We try it in, make small adjustments, and show you how to care for it.
Most patients adjust within a night or two and experience noticeably improved comfort in the mornings.
If You’re in Winter Park and Think You May Need a Nightguard, We’re Here to Help
If you’ve been waking up with soreness, have noticed new chips or wear on your teeth, or simply want a more comfortable alternative to the bulky store-bought options, we’d be happy to help.
Book an appointment with our Winter Park dentist today, and let’s ensure your teeth (and your sleep!) stay protected.
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