Image

Understanding Nightguards

Chronic jaw clenching and grinding of one’s teeth is called bruxism. While it can happen any time of day, it often occurs at night causing an individual to wake up with any number of symptoms including jaw pain, headaches, and sore teeth that may feel loose. Although, stress and anxiety are the most common causes of bruxism there may be other contributing factors such as a sleep disorder, an abnormal bite, as well as teeth that are missing or poorly aligned.

To alleviate the symptoms of bruxism, wearing a night guard while sleeping is frequently recommended. This appliance is designed to fit over the teeth and to keep the jaws slightly apart. Wearing a night guard prevents a number of damaging events, including muscle strain, excessive pressure on the jaw joint (the TMJ), and such dental damage as chipped or cracked teeth resulting from the teeth grinding against each other.

In addition to preventing damage to the soft and hard tissues surrounding the orofacial cavity, a custom night guard fabricated at the dental office can help curb a bruxism habit and give the wearer a better night’s sleep.

Advantages Of Using Night Guards For Bruxism

Some people have a tendency to grind their teeth when they are angry, stressed, or anxious during the day (daytime bruxism) or while sleeping (nighttime bruxism). This habit is often unconscious and involuntary, and it can be harmful to your oral health. To protect your teeth, your dentist may recommend using a nightguard in addition to any prescribed treatments for anxiety, such as medication or therapy.

While night guards do not stop the habit of teeth grinding, consistently using one can help prevent damage to fillings, chipping or loosening of teeth, and excessive wear of the tooth enamel. Furthermore, using a nightguard may improve your sleep and alleviate symptoms associated with bruxism.

  • Tooth sensitivity or discomfort
  • Biting the cheeks
  • Gums that are pulling back
  • Tiredness caused by interrupted sleep throughout the night.
  • Experiencing discomfort in the face due to tight or sore jaw muscles.
  • Temple-related headaches

Advantages Of Using Nightguards For TMJ

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in your mouth are responsible for the opening and closing of your mouth. However, excessive teeth grinding can lead to issues with these joints, resulting in TMJ and symptoms like jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and a locked jaw. Inflammation or jaw injuries can also cause TMJ. To address these problems, nightguards for TMJ can be used to properly align your jaws and relax the muscles while you sleep. Using a nightguard may effectively alleviate other TMJ symptoms, including:

  • Pain or discomfort in the face
  • Pain in the neck and shoulders
  • Severe discomfort resembling an earache
  • A feeling of hearing a ringing sound in the ear.
  • Difficulty with chewing or speaking
  • Experiencing discomfort while eating or talking.

New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome!