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Protect your teeth and sleep soundly with our custom-fit mouth guards
Teeth grinding — known clinically as bruxism — is one of the most common and underdiagnosed dental conditions, affecting millions of adults who are often completely unaware it's happening. At Roam Dental in Shelby Township, Dr. Barbu provides custom-fitted night guards that create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing grinding forces and preventing the progressive enamel damage that bruxism causes. If you're waking up with jaw soreness, headaches, or worn-down teeth, a comprehensive dental exam can help identify the cause and get you the protection you need.
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Bruxism is the involuntary grinding, clenching, or gnashing of teeth — most commonly during sleep, when you have no conscious control over the habit. It affects an estimated 10–15% of adults and can occur at any age. Sleep bruxism is classified as a sleep-related movement disorder, and many sufferers are completely unaware of the problem until a dentist notices the telltale signs of enamel wear during a routine exam.
The causes of bruxism are multifactorial. Stress and anxiety are among the most common triggers, but sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, a misaligned bite, certain medications, and lifestyle factors like caffeine or alcohol use can also contribute. Left untreated, bruxism leads to progressive enamel erosion, tooth fractures, sensitivity, and in severe cases, damage to existing dental restorations like crowns and fillings.
The good news is that bruxism is highly treatable. A custom night guard from Roam Dental is one of the most effective and immediate interventions — stopping the grinding forces before they can cause further damage while you work on addressing any underlying causes with your healthcare team.
A custom night guard is a thin, precisely fitted oral appliance fabricated from a dental impression of your teeth. It creates a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing and redistributing the forces generated during grinding and clenching. Unlike store-bought boil-and-bite guards, a professionally made guard fits your teeth exactly — which means it stays in place, doesn't impede breathing, and is far more comfortable to wear throughout the night.
The material used for professional night guards is durable enough to withstand significant grinding forces without wearing through, yet thin enough that it doesn't feel bulky or disruptive to sleep. The guard also helps position the jaw in a more relaxed, neutral position, which can reduce muscle tension and the associated morning jaw pain and headaches that many bruxism sufferers experience.
Getting a night guard at Roam Dental is a simple two-appointment process: impressions at your first visit, fitting and delivery of the finished guard at your second. Once you have your guard, wearing it consistently is the most important step. Many patients notice a significant reduction in jaw soreness and headaches within the first week. Schedule your appointment to get started.
Because bruxism occurs during sleep, many people don't realize they have it until damage has already occurred or a sleep partner reports hearing grinding sounds at night. The most reliable way to confirm bruxism is through a dental examination, where Dr. Barbu can identify characteristic patterns of enamel wear, flattened cusps, cracked tooth syndrome, or increased tooth sensitivity — all hallmarks of chronic grinding.
Common symptoms that suggest you may be grinding your teeth include: waking up with a dull headache or jaw soreness; noticing that your teeth look shorter, flatter, or more worn than they used to; experiencing increased sensitivity to temperature in teeth that were previously normal; finding small chips or cracks in teeth that have no obvious cause; or feeling tightness or pain in the muscles of the face, neck, or shoulders upon waking.
If you recognize any of these signs, don't wait until more damage occurs. Early intervention with a custom night guard can stop the progression of enamel wear and prevent the need for costly restorative work down the line. Contact our Shelby Township office today to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Barbu.
A professionally fitted night guard is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your long-term dental health. Here is what it protects.
The guard absorbs grinding forces before they can erode enamel, preventing tooth fractures, sensitivity, and the need for future restorations.
By cushioning the jaw in a neutral position, night guards reduce muscle tension that causes the morning headaches and jaw soreness common with bruxism.
Unlike store-bought guards, a custom appliance is made from a precise impression of your teeth — ensuring a comfortable, secure fit that stays in place all night.
Grinding forces can crack or dislodge crowns, veneers, and fillings. A night guard protects your dental investment and extends the life of your restorations.
A night guard requires no surgery, no medication, and no lifestyle disruption — just a comfortable appliance you wear while you sleep to protect your teeth every night.