Protect Your Teeth From Grinding and Clenching
Teeth grinding, jaw clenching, morning headaches and jaw soreness can be signs that your teeth and jaw are under too much pressure. At Minorca Smiles, Raymond del Castillo provides custom night guards in Coral Gables, Florida, to help protect your teeth, reduce strain and support healthier jaw function.
A night guard, also called an occlusal guard, is a custom oral appliance worn over the teeth while you sleep. It creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, helping reduce the damage caused by nighttime grinding and clenching.
Raymond del Castillo has 15 years of experience with TMJ concerns, night guards and occlusal appliances, with more than 2,000 TMJ, night guard and occlusal appliance cases completed. His experience helps him design custom appliances with attention to comfort, fit, bite balance and long-term tooth protection.
Schedule Your Night Guard Consultation
Call 305-443-4713
Custom Night Guards in Coral Gables, Florida
Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. It can happen during the day, but many patients grind or clench while sleeping without realizing it. Over time, this pressure can wear down enamel, damage dental work, contribute to tooth sensitivity and place stress on the jaw joints and muscles.
A custom night guard is designed to fit your teeth more precisely than an over-the-counter mouthguard. Because it is made for your mouth and bite, it can provide better comfort, stability and protection during sleep.
If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, sore teeth or notice that your teeth look worn or chipped, del Castillo can evaluate your bite and determine whether a custom night guard may help.
Signs You May Need a Night Guard
You may benefit from a custom night guard if you have:
- Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
- Morning jaw soreness or tightness
- Frequent morning headaches
- Worn, flattened or chipped teeth
- Tooth sensitivity from enamel wear
- Jaw clicking, popping or discomfort
- Pain when chewing or opening your mouth
- Cracked teeth or damaged restorations
- A history of broken fillings, crowns or veneers
- A partner who hears grinding while you sleep
These symptoms can have several causes, so an exam is important. del Castillo will evaluate your teeth, jaw joints, bite and existing dental work before recommending treatment.
How Bruxism Can Affect Your Smile
Grinding and clenching can place significant force on your teeth. Over time, this pressure may contribute to enamel wear, tooth fractures, gumline sensitivity, damaged restorations and changes in the way your teeth fit together.
Bruxism can also strain the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joints, often called the TMJ. This may lead to jaw discomfort, facial soreness, headaches, clicking or popping, or difficulty opening comfortably.
A custom night guard does not stop the grinding habit itself, but it can help protect the teeth and reduce the impact of clenching forces while you sleep.
Custom Night Guards vs. Store-Bought Mouthguards
Over-the-counter mouthguards may seem convenient, but they are not made for your exact teeth, bite or jaw position. A poor fit can feel bulky, shift during sleep or fail to protect the areas that need it most.
Custom night guards are made from impressions or digital records of your teeth. This allows the appliance to fit more securely and comfortably while helping distribute biting forces more evenly.
Because every bite is different, del Castillo will design your night guard based on your symptoms, tooth wear, jaw comfort and oral health needs.
What to Expect During Your Night Guard Visit
Your visit begins with an evaluation of your teeth, bite, jaw joints and areas of wear or damage. del Castillo may also ask about headaches, jaw pain, sleep habits, stress, clenching and any changes you have noticed in your teeth.
If a custom night guard is recommended, our team will take digital impressions or other records needed to create the appliance. Once your night guard is ready, del Castillo will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments.
We will also explain how to wear, clean and store your appliance. Follow-up visits may be recommended to make sure the night guard remains comfortable and continues to fit properly.
Benefits of a Custom Night Guard
- Tooth protection: A night guard helps protect teeth from wear, chips and fractures caused by grinding.
- Support for dental work: It can help reduce stress on crowns, veneers, fillings and other restorations.
- Jaw comfort: A properly fitted appliance may help reduce strain from clenching forces.
- Custom fit: Your night guard is made for your teeth and bite, not a generic mold.
- Better comfort: Custom appliances are designed to feel more secure and less bulky than many store-bought options.
- Long-term prevention: Protecting your teeth early may help reduce the need for more complex restorative care later.
Night Guards, TMJ Symptoms and Jaw Pain
Night guards are often recommended for patients who have signs of clenching, grinding or bite-related strain. If your jaw pain is connected to nighttime clenching, a custom appliance may help reduce stress on the teeth and jaw muscles.
TMJ-related symptoms can be complex, and not every case is treated the same way. del Castillo will evaluate your bite, jaw movement and symptoms to determine whether a night guard is appropriate or whether another type of care may be needed.
If your symptoms include severe jaw locking, trauma, swelling or worsening pain, our team will help you understand the appropriate next step.
Protecting Worn or Damaged Teeth
Grinding can gradually wear teeth down or contribute to cracks, chips and broken restorations. If tooth damage has already occurred, a night guard may be part of a broader plan to protect your smile after treatment.
Depending on the condition of your teeth, del Castillo may also discuss restorative dentistry, composite fillings or same-day dental crowns to repair damage before protecting the teeth with an appliance.
The goal is to address existing concerns and reduce the risk of future wear or fracture.
Experience You Can Trust With Custom Oral Appliances
Raymond del Castillo earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Miami VA hospital. He has 15 years of experience with TMJ concerns, night guards and occlusal appliances.
He has completed more than 2,000 TMJ, night guard and occlusal appliance cases. His background in occlusal care, restorative dentistry and comprehensive treatment planning helps him evaluate how grinding and clenching affect the teeth, bite, jaw joints and long-term oral health.
At Minorca Smiles, custom night guard treatment is supported by advanced dental technology, digital records when appropriate and a patient-centered approach. del Castillo will explain what he sees, answer your questions and help you understand your options.
Schedule a Night Guard Consultation
If you grind your teeth, clench your jaw or wake up with jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity or headaches, a custom night guard may help protect your smile. To learn more about night guards in Coral Gables, Florida, schedule a consultation with Raymond del Castillo.
Schedule Your Consultation
Call 305-443-4713
Frequently Asked Questions About Night Guards
What is a night guard?
A night guard is a custom oral appliance worn over the teeth while you sleep. It helps protect your teeth from grinding and clenching forces that can cause wear, chips, cracks and jaw strain.
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Signs of nighttime grinding may include worn teeth, chipped teeth, tooth sensitivity, morning headaches, jaw soreness or a partner hearing grinding sounds while you sleep. del Castillo can check for signs during an exam.
Can a night guard help with jaw pain?
A night guard may help if your jaw pain is related to grinding or clenching. It can reduce the impact of clenching forces on the teeth and jaw muscles. del Castillo will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether a night guard is appropriate.
Is a custom night guard better than a store-bought mouthguard?
A custom night guard is made for your teeth and bite, which can improve fit, comfort and protection. Store-bought mouthguards are generic and may feel bulky, shift during sleep or fail to protect your teeth properly.
How long does a night guard last?
The lifespan of a night guard depends on the material, your grinding habits and how well the appliance is cared for. Some patients need replacement sooner if they grind heavily. We can check your appliance during routine visits.
Can grinding damage crowns or fillings?
Yes. Grinding and clenching can place stress on crowns, fillings, veneers and other restorations. A custom night guard may help protect dental work from excessive force.
How do I care for my night guard?
Rinse your night guard after wearing it, clean it as directed and store it in its case when not in use. Bring it to dental visits so our team can check the fit and condition.
Do you provide night guards near Miami?
Yes. Raymond del Castillo provides custom night guards in Coral Gables, Florida, and welcomes patients from nearby Miami-area communities, including Miami, South Miami, Coconut Grove, Brickell and Pinecrest.