Do you grind your teeth when you’re sleeping? Do you suffer from chronic headaches or jaw pain from clenching your teeth? When left untreated, these conditions can cause chips and cracks in your teeth and other dental problems. Wearing a custom-made mouthguard at night helps reduce your teeth-grinding symptoms and improve your sleep. Keep reading to see if a custom night guard is right for you.
What is a Night Guard?
A night guard, also known as an occlusal splint, is a dental device worn while sleeping. It protects teeth and jaws from the adverse effects of teeth grinding or clenching, a condition known as bruxism.
A night guard looks like the trays used for teeth whitening and sits over the teeth to protect them from grinding or clenching. It may not stop you from clenching or grinding your teeth, but it will cushion and shield your teeth to prevent damage.
Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard
If you grind your teeth at night, a dentist should evaluate your teeth for damage. They’ll also give you a custom-fitted night guard that will fit better and be more comfortable.
When you wear the night guard routinely, you’ll experience the following benefits:
1. Prevents Tooth Damage
Wearing a night guard protects your molars from wearing down. By cushioning your teeth, you’ll prevent dental issues caused by bruxism, including:
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Worn enamel
- Tooth sensitivity
- Damaged dental work
Wearing a night guard routinely helps you avoid the cost and time of future dental damage caused by bruxism.
2. Prevents Morning Headaches
Morning headaches are often the result of jaw clenching when you grind your teeth. Wearing a night guard eases the strain on your jaw muscles so you can wake up without pain. It’s a drug-free alternative to pain medication – with no negative side effects!
3. Protects Dental Restorations
If you have dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or veneers, a night guard will protect your dental work and prolong its lifespan. Bruxism exerts excessive force on these restorations, leading to damage or premature wear.
4. Prevents TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder refers to a condition that affects the joints connecting the jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone) on either side of the head, in front of the ears. Injuries to the jaw and bruxism are common causes of TMJ.
TMJ symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw, neck, shoulders, or around the ear
- Difficulty chewing or opening your mouth wide
- A popping or clicking sound when you open or close your mouth
- A jaw that gets stuck or locked in position
- Swelling on the side of your face
A custom-made night guard shifts the jaw and teeth into proper alignment, alleviating jaw tension, headaches, pain, and other symptoms of TMJ disorder.
Learn More: Why Is My Jaw Tight and What Can I Do About It?
Protect Your Teeth and Sleep Better With a Custom Night Guard
Are you ready to get better sleep, wake up without pain, and protect your teeth? Contact Atkins & Anderson DDS to see if a custom night guard is the right treatment for you. Our expert team in College Station, Texas, can assess your symptoms and fit you with a night guard to protect your teeth and relieve your pain.
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