Alternatives to a Night Guard?
People across the country often wake up with constant, dull jaw pain, and accept it as a way of life, but it does not have to be. You may have heard about night guards and questioning if they really work. You could experience a more pleasant, less painful morning.
One dental problem you may suffer from while you sleep is bruxism. Known as teeth grinding, bruxism can result in chipped, worn-down teeth and other jaw problems.
Several Alternatives to a Night Guard
A night guard is a common solution for bruxism, but there are alternatives to treat various forms of bruxism. If a night guard is uncomfortable or does not remedy your situation, consider these options to discuss with your dentist.
- Occlusal Splints- A similar treatment to a night guard is an occlusal splint. While a night guard will prevent damage from teeth grinding, a night guard does not help correct teeth grinding.
An occlusal splint will help reposition your jaw muscles so the bruxism will not occur while you sleep. Your dentist creates an occlusal splint with a mouth mold. The mold forms around your teeth and will be made for either the top or bottom teeth.
An occlusal splint works well if you seek out mouth corrections. You might grind your teeth because they do not align properly or because you have an overbite or underbite. The splint will protect your teeth from any additional damage while your body adjusts to the proper jaw and teeth placement to reduce grinding.
Caring for your occlusal splint is similar to a night guard. Usually, the splint comes in the form of a plastic mold and can be soaked and brushed in water to help remove germs.
- Botox Treatments- Bruxism often occurs because of tense jaw muscles and has nothing to do with your teeth. The teeth damage is the result of the movements of the jaw. One way to relieve tight jaw muscles is with Botox treatments.
Botox has expanded beyond the world of cosmetics and is often used with muscle problems. An injection directly into your jaw muscle helps the muscle relax and prevents the clenching movements.
Botox will wear off and your dentist may recommend that you repeat the treatment every few months. With time your body will naturally learn not to clench the jaw muscle.
- Biofeedback- Another alternative to help train your jaw to stop clenching is through biofeedback treatments. Biofeedback treatment includes a small electrode that monitors your jaw activity while you sleep.
This technology can trigger a response when it senses your jawbone tightening. Your body is alerted to stop the action through vibration or sound. When you go to sleep, the device usually attaches behind your ear or on the back of your head.
Biofeedback conditions your body to stop jaw clenches through the intervention. You will naturally stop your jaw from clenching during sleep with or without the biofeedback device installed. The length of treatment time needed depends on a range of factors.