Night Guards in Fort Collins, CO
NightGuards
Night Guards at Harbor Dental
The grinding and clenching of your teeth can result in headaches, jaw pain, earaches, and damage to your teeth. People who grind their teeth in their sleep, or sleep bruxism, tend to wake up with tender, sore muscles in their jaw and face and a dull headache. A night guard is a safe and effective way to prevent damage to your teeth.Â
Dental night guards are devices that cover your upper teeth and lower teeth. They create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, thereby reducing the strain on your jaw muscles and joints. Night guards can be customized to fit your mouth, ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness. They are an FDA-approved oral appliance custom fit to your mouth and designed to relieve teeth grinding and clenching or bruxism.Â
If you suffer from bruxism or frequent grinding of your teeth while you sleep, you are probably a good candidate for a nightguard. Grinding your teeth puts a lot of pressure on your jaws. This pressure can lead to jaw pain, headaches, and even tooth damage. If your grinding is severe enough, you may even develop TMJ disorder.
The night guard is molded to fit the patient’s teeth. It is made from hard, durable plastic. Typically, it takes two appointments to create the custom fit.
Before the guard can be fabricated, the dentist takes an impression of your teeth. This is done by placing a special material inside your mouth. The new material sets within five minutes and is then removed and used to create the plaster mold. The guard will fit comfortably over your teeth.
Better Oral Hygiene
– Nightguards help protect your teeth from the overnight effects of nighttime teeth grinding and clenching. They can also help protect your gums from the friction caused by grinding.
Teeth Protection
Nightguards offer complete teeth protection and reduce the risk of chips, cracks, and breaks. They also help prevent teeth grinding, which is often a cause of bruxism.
Reduction of TMJ Pain
Nightguards for teeth are a great way to relieve tension in the jaw. In many TMJ cases, the muscles and joints in the jaw become inflamed. This inflammation causes pain and tension when trying to chew or open the mouth. Wearing night guards helps to reduce the TMJ pain.Â
What To Expect During your Visit
Nervous about visiting the dentist? We understand. That’s why we’ve outlined exactly what you can expect on your first visit. As well as some more helpful information about our night guards.
Contact Us Today!
At Harbor Dental Clinic, we’re committed to providing comprehensive dental care tailored to your needs. If you suffer from bruxism or suspect you might benefit from a night guard, our experienced team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Your journey towards better oral health starts here.
Night Guard FAQs
 A night guard is a custom-fit oral appliance that covers your upper (and sometimes lower) teeth to create a protective barrier between the jaw and opposing teeth while you sleep. The clinic explains that grinding and clenching of teeth can cause headaches, jaw pain, earaches and significant tooth damage. If you wake with sore jaw muscles or a dull headache, a night guard can help prevent further harm. Using this appliance may also protect your dental restorations and keep your bite more comfortable.
The process typically takes two appointments: first, an impression or mold of your teeth is made; then a hard, durable plastic guard is fabricated to your exact dental structure and fitted for comfort. The website states that the guard is molded to fit the patient’s teeth and made from a strong plastic for long-lasting protection. A proper fit ensures the guard stays in place, functions correctly, and feels comfortable throughout the night. Your dentist will make adjustments as needed to optimize comfort and performance.
The process begins with selecting a composite resin color that closely matches your natural tooth color. Then, the surface of the tooth is roughened and a conditioning liquid applied to help the bonding material adhere. The tooth-colored, putty-like resin is then applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. An ultraviolet light or laser is used to harden the material, after which it is trimmed, shaped, and polished to match the rest of the tooth surface.
 Night guards help protect teeth from the overnight effects of grinding and clenching, guard gums from friction, reduce the risk of chips, cracks and breakage, and ease TMJ or jaw-joint related pain or tension. The clinic outlines these specific benefits of improved oral hygiene, teeth protection and reduction of TMJ pain. Waking up with fewer symptoms—like less jaw soreness or fewer headaches—is also a common result. Over time this protection can prevent more invasive dental treatments due to damage caused by bruxism.
 Anyone who grinds their teeth or clenches their jaw during sleep—especially if waking with jaw fatigue, tooth sensitivity, or headaches—is likely a strong candidate. The website advises that if grinding is severe enough, you may even develop TMJ disorder if left untreated. Even if symptoms are mild, early intervention can save your teeth and smile from long-term damage. Your dentist will evaluate your condition and recommend a night guard if needed.
 After each use, rinse the guard in cool water, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush (without toothpaste unless directed), and store it in a ventilated case to keep it clean and dry. Harbor Dental emphasizes patient comfort and proper use to ensure the appliance remains effective and hygienic. It’s also important to bring your night guard to check-ups so your dentist can inspect its fit, condition and make any necessary adjustments. With good care, your night guard will help protect your smile and maintain comfort for as long as you need it.
