Night Guards — Ballantyne, Charlotte NC
Protect your teeth
while you sleep,
with a guard made
in our own lab.
A custom night guard is a fitted appliance you wear while you sleep to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. Dr. Robert L. Harrell, DDS, fits each one, and it is made in our in-house Natural Smile Dental Lab. It is one of our general dentistry services in Ballantyne NC.
Signs You May Be Grinding at Night
Grinding or clenching in your sleep can do more harm than grinding during the day, because you don't realize it's happening. (Cleveland Clinic)
- Flattened, chipped, cracked or loose teeth
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Sore jaw muscles
- Headaches or facial pain, especially in the morning
- A partner or family member hears you grinding at night
Sources: NIDCR · Cleveland Clinic
How a Custom Night Guard Protects Your Teeth
A night guard keeps your top and bottom teeth apart while you sleep. This prevents tooth damage and may reduce muscle activity from grinding and clenching. (NIDCR)
Most people who grind their teeth can ease symptoms with a custom mouth guard. (Cleveland Clinic)
Custom vs Store-Bought
Source: Cleveland Clinic. The last row describes our practice.
Made in Our Own Lab
First visit
Dr. Harrell checks your teeth for signs of grinding and scans your teeth.
In our lab
Our Natural Smile Dental Lab team makes your guard from the scan.
Second visit
Dr. Harrell fits your guard and adjusts it.
Your night guard is made in our in-house lab, right here at our office.
Caring for Your Night Guard
- Rinse it in cool water, then clean it with a brush and soapy water after each use.
- Let it air dry.
- Keep it in a sturdy, vented case.
- Keep it away from heat, such as direct sunlight or hot water.
- Bring it to your checkups so it can be checked for cracks or wear.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Questions About Night Guards
People who grind in their sleep often need treatment to help manage the effects of grinding, and a dentist can make a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth. Dr. Harrell looks for signs of wear at your exam and will tell you whether a night guard makes sense for you. (Cleveland Clinic)
Store-bought guards are cheaper, but they are not as effective as custom-made guards for protection against grinding. A custom guard is made to fit your exact teeth. (Cleveland Clinic)
In our in-house Natural Smile Dental Lab, here at our office.
It is another name for a night guard: a fitted appliance you wear while you sleep that keeps your top and bottom teeth apart. (NIDCR)
Custom guards usually last longer than store-bought ones. Bring yours to your checkups so it can be checked for cracks or wear. (Cleveland Clinic)
A guard may reduce the muscle activity that comes from grinding and clenching, and most people who grind can ease their symptoms with a custom guard. (NIDCR · Cleveland Clinic)
