Office Hours :
Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Fri: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Office Number :
(803) 951-0991
Night Guards in Lexington, SC
Custom Fit
Built from a precise digital impression of your own bite, not a generic mold.
Digital Scanning
We use a digital scanner for comfortable, accurate impressions with no messy trays.
Bruxism Relief
Night guards reduce jaw soreness, morning headaches, and enamel wear from grinding.
Easy Appointments
Most fittings require just one or two visits. Many patients notice relief within weeks.
If you wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache, or teeth that feel unusually sensitive, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep without realizing it. This habit, known as bruxism, is one of the most common causes of jaw pain and worn teeth we see at Lexington Family Smiles, and it often goes unnoticed until the damage starts to show. Many patients only discover it after a partner mentions the grinding sounds, or after we notice distinctive wear patterns during a routine visit.
Our team provides general and preventive dentistry designed to catch problems like bruxism early, before they lead to bigger and more expensive issues. A custom night guard, built specifically to fit your bite, is one of the most effective and straightforward ways to protect your long-term oral health for patients throughout Lexington, SC and the surrounding communities.
Recognizing the Signs of Bruxism
Bruxism can be tricky to spot because it usually happens while you sleep. Many patients only discover they grind their teeth after a partner mentions the sound, or after we notice wear patterns during a routine visit. Paying attention to the following patterns can help you decide when it is time to ask us about a night guard:
- Jaw soreness: Waking up with a tight or tender jaw, especially first thing in the morning
- Frequent headaches: Recurring headaches that start near the temples or behind the eyes
- Worn or sensitive teeth: Teeth that feel flattened, chipped, or increasingly sensitive to hot and cold
- Unexplained tooth pain: Discomfort or looseness with no recent injury
- Nighttime sounds: A partner reporting grinding or clicking during the night
Recognizing even one or two of these symptoms is worth mentioning at your next appointment. We can take a closer look during your dental exam and confirm whether bruxism is the underlying cause.
How Bruxism Affects Your Jaw Over Time
Grinding and clenching place ongoing strain on the temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. Over time, this strain can develop into temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort, which shows up in ways that are easy to mistake for something else entirely.
Patients often describe a dull ache near the ears, a popping or clicking sound when opening the mouth wide, or stiffness that makes chewing uncomfortable. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders affect between 5 and 10 percent of the population, making this a fairly common concern. Left unaddressed, the ongoing strain can also damage healthy teeth and wear down existing dental crowns and restorations alongside the natural tooth structure.
Waking Up With Jaw Pain or Headaches?
Custom Night Guards vs. Store-Bought Options
It can be tempting to reach for a one-size-fits-all night guard from a pharmacy, and we understand the appeal of a quick fix. However, over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards rarely solve the underlying problem the way a custom-fitted guard can. Store-bought guards are built from a single generic mold, which means they often feel bulky, shift out of place during sleep, or fail to distribute bite pressure evenly.
A custom night guard is created from an exact impression of your teeth, so it fits securely and comfortably while still allowing you to breathe and swallow with ease. The material is also selected based on the severity of your grinding, giving you a guard built to hold up under your specific bite pressure. This tailored approach is often the difference between a night guard that gets worn every night and one that ends up sitting in a drawer.
Getting a custom night guard starts with a conversation. We will ask about your symptoms, take a look at your bite, and check for visible signs of wear before recommending the next step. We use a digital scanner to capture a precise, comfortable impression of your teeth, which removes the need for the messy trays some patients remember from past visits. That scan is sent to a dental lab, where your guard is custom-molded to match the exact contours of your teeth and bite. When it is ready, you will come back for a fitting appointment so we can check the seal, comfort, and bite alignment before you take it home. Most patients notice a difference in morning jaw soreness within the first few weeks of consistent use.
Caring for Your Night Guard
A little routine care goes a long way toward extending the life of your night guard and keeping your mouth healthy. Rinse it with cool water every morning and gently brush it with a soft toothbrush, avoiding toothpaste, since some formulas are too abrasive for the material. Store the guard in its case when it is not in use, and keep it away from heat sources such as a hot car dashboard or dishwasher, as warping can affect the fit.
It also helps to bring the guard along to your regular dental cleanings so we can check for wear and confirm it still fits properly. This is especially true if you have had any dental fillings placed since your last visit, as new restorations can occasionally change how your bite feels against the guard. A quick check-in keeps your guard working the way it should for years to come.
Schedule Your Night Guard Fitting at Lexington Family Smiles
Lexington Family Smiles is proud to offer comprehensive, compassionate general and preventive dentistry right here in the community. Our team takes the time to understand your specific bite and grinding pattern so the guard we build actually fits your life, not just your mouth. We use digital scanning technology that makes the fitting process faster and more comfortable, and we are actively welcoming new patients of all ages.
Patients without dental insurance are always welcome, and our Dental Savings Plan offers access to preventive care at reduced rates as an affordable alternative to traditional insurance. If you have been waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or worn teeth, a custom night guard could be the solution you have been looking for. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment and experience comprehensive, compassionate general and preventive dentistry right here in Lexington, SC.
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- 2001 Augusta Highway, Suite A, Lexington, SC 29072
- 803-951-0991
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