Do you ever wake up with a painful jaw, a dull headache, or sensitive teeth? Or perhaps your partner has been complaining about a grinding sound coming from your side of the bed at night. If so, you may be among the millions who have bruxism, the medical name for clenching and grinding of the teeth. Don’t worry, a night guard can help!
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a common habit among many people. Although it may first appear innocuous, persistent teeth grinding can result in a startling number of excruciating and expensive dental issues, including:
Tooth Wear and Tear: Even though your teeth’s enamel, the hard outer layer, is extremely robust, it is not impervious to wear and tear. Your enamel can actually be worn down by constant grinding, revealing the softer dentin underneath. This raises the risk of cavities, causes changes in tooth form, and increases sensitivity.
Chipped and Fractured Teeth: Teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or even fractured due to extreme pressure may require expensive crowns or even extractions because the damage may extend deep into the tooth structure.
Damage to Dental Restorations: Bridges, veneers, crowns, and fillings are all susceptible to damage. They may chip, crack, come loose, or even shatter due to bruxism, requiring more frequent dental checkups and costs.
Jaw Pain and TMJ Disorders: Your jaw and skull are joined by the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The jaw muscles are overworked, and the TMJ is stressed by prolonged clenching, which can cause discomfort, stiffness, clicking sounds, trouble opening and shutting your mouth, and even a locked jaw.
Night Guard for Bruxism
A night guard, also known as an occlusal splint, is a detachable device that is usually worn at night to prevent bruxism or the grinding and clenching of teeth. It functions as a protective barrier by cushioning teeth and absorbing grinding forces in place of direct tooth-to-tooth contact. Additionally, this lessens strain by distributing stress uniformly throughout your dental arch. It relieves headaches and jaw discomfort by gently shifting the jaw or creating a slick surface, which promotes muscular relaxation.
What Else Can a Night Guard Do?
Here’s how a night guard can help with issues other than bruxism:
Manage TMJ Disorders
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders, commonly referred to as TMD, usually coexist with bruxism. Excessive clenching and grinding can cause inflammation or misalignment of the TMJ, which is the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. A night guard creates space between your upper and lower teeth, allowing your jaw muscles to relax rather than constantly being tensed from clenching.
Reduce Facial Pain and Headaches
A night guard is helpful for many individuals who wake up with chronic headaches, particularly tension headaches or migraines. Chronic headaches can result from the same jaw muscle stress that causes jaw discomfort, radiating to the forehead, temples, and even the neck. A night guard can lessen the frequency and severity of severe headaches by calming these muscles.
Ending Note!
Don’t wait until irreparable harm has been done if you think you may be clenching or grinding your teeth. A proactive, non-invasive, and incredibly powerful tool, a night guard may protect your priceless smile, reduce pain, and greatly improve your quality of life.
Consult our dentist at Integrity Dental of Troy about your or your family’s oral health. Call us at (586) 977-0300 to book your appointment and find out if a night guard is the right option for you.