Are nightguards a scam? The short answer is no. There are many people who truly need nightguards to protect their teeth and their TMJ. But there are definitely some dentists out there who will blanketly push nightguards on all of their patients for profit. So how do you know if you need one? Some of the most common signs of a tooth clenching or grinding problem (bruxism) are jaw pain or tension, headaches, tooth flattening or wear, tooth fractures, sensitivity, gum recession, or if your partner tells you they hear you grinding at night. Most people who clench or grind their teeth don’t even know it because they do it in their sleep. This is why it is inportant to find a dentist you trust to check for these signs. There are many different types of nightguards that we won’t get into but the important thing is that there is some kind of protection between your top and bottom teeth at night. Much better to wear down the plastic than the teeth you can’t grow back. #dentist #orthodontist #tmj #nightguard #retainer #invisalign #braces #emergencydentist #brokentooth #burtonsville #burtonsvilledentist