Night guards, as the name suggests, are occlusal guards or dental appliances that help protect teeth from bruxism. Bruxism is a situation where a person grinds and clenches the teeth continuously during sleep. Many people have this habit of clenching their teeth while sleeping, and it can lead to several dental issues, such as jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, worn enamel, and, most importantly, headaches. This is because continuous clenching of teeth puts pressure on the jawbones, leading to headaches.
So, to prevent such incidents, night guards are used as protective gear to mitigate the impact of grinding and clenching of the teeth. It can work wonders for people who have this bruxism issue. If you are in Kirtland, then you can consult an expert Kirtland dentist to understand the importance of night guards and how you can utilize them to solve your bruxism issue.
What is a Night Guard?
The night guards are like retainers that are made of soft or hard plastic, covering the teeth from top to bottom. Doctors suggest these night guards for those who have severe clenching and teeth-grinding problems. It provides a cushion-like feeling to your teeth and, therefore, protects you from clenching and grinding the teeth. If you are still having clenching issues while sleeping, these night guards help you avoid having an impact on your jawbones. It is because these are like cushions and, therefore, protect the teeth from grinding into each other.
What are Signs of Teeth Grinding and Clenching?
- Chipped teeth
- A headache, especially while waking up
- Loose teeth
- Sore or tight jaw or facial muscles
- Discomfort while chewing.
These are common signs of teeth grinding and clenching. You may not be aware of your habit while sleeping, but if you find any of these signs in your teeth, it is highly suggested that you consult an expert doctor to treat your clenching and grinding issues.
How Can Night Guards Protect Your Teeth?
Cushioning and Absorption
One of the primary functions of night guards is cushioning and absorption of pressure. The guards act as a cushion barrier that can absorb the pressure from the upper and lower teeth due to clenching and grinding. Thus, they ultimately help reduce the wear and tear of the tooth surfaces and also reduce the risk of fractures. Therefore, they are highly recommended among people who have clenching and grinding issues.
Prevents Tooth Damage
Grinding and clenching can lead to tooth damage, enamel erosion, fractures, and other such issues. If there were night guards protecting the teeth, then it would help you to redistribute the force due to grinding. This redistribution will help in making tooth-to-tooth contact, thus reducing the risk of tooth damage. This habit happens subconsciously and is not under our control; therefore, night guards can be the best solution to protect our teeth.
Alleviate Discomfort and Jaw Pain
As their name suggests, night guards protect teeth from discomfort and jaw pain. They reduce the contact of teeth and thus put less pressure on the jaw points. Therefore, they relax the jaw position while sleeping and minimize discomfort. Consequently, they are highly recommended when you have clenching and grinding issues.
Protects Dental Work
Clenching and grinding can affect dental work, such as crowns, bridges, veneers, and other treatment appliances. Thus, it becomes essential to use night guards to protect against such treatments and to grind teeth with each other.
It is highly recommended that if you are facing grinding and clenching issues, you consult an expert doctor and ensure that you protect your teeth with night guards.
