Do Night Guards Work?
Many people wake up with a constant, dull jaw pain, and they might just accept it as a way of life. But they do have viable options. You might have heard some discussion about night guards. But what is their function, and do they work? You might be interested in a more pleasant, less painful morning.
Bruxism is a medical term for the grinding or clenching of your teeth and jaws. Grinding refers to moving your jaw back and forth. Clenching is the biting down with excessive force for longer periods of time. Bruxism is a common issue or condition and normally occurs during your sleep or times of stress. There are many people who do not even know that they grind their teeth during sleep until they are told by either a sleep partner or a dentist.
Grinding teeth during sleep can cause extensive damage to the structure and the enamel of your teeth over time, which will then lead to decay and increased sensitivity. It can cause headaches, interrupt your sleep, and cause pain in your jaw, face, and neck.
How a Night Guard Can Help You
If you wake up with jaw and tooth pain you probably suffer from the condition known as bruxism, which is the wearing down of your teeth from constant nighttime grinding or clenching. This condition can sometimes be more serious than you think, as it will affect how you chew, enjoy food, and even more. Night guards do work and have several potential benefits:
- Less tooth and jaw pain- The primary reason most people use night guards is to combat the symptoms related to bruxism, including both tension and pain. A properly fitted night guard molded to your teeth will help you stop damaging your teeth with the grinding or clenching.
- Improved quality of sleep- Since a night guard helps decrease the amount of pain you feel when you grind your teeth, they will inherently improve your sleeping patterns as well. When the muscles in your jaw and mouth are tense, you are more likely to be tense when you sleep as well. Night guards will help reduce that problem.
- Fewer headaches- Teeth grinding or clenching often causes headaches. Literally everything in our bodies is co-dependent, in that each part or area relies on others to work properly and efficiently. When you prevent your teeth from grinding or clenching, you can expect fewer headaches and the associated neck pain.
- Decreased snoring- Night guards create a narrower passage between your jaws, therefore increasing your airflow and allowing you to breathe better, virtually eliminating snoring in some individuals. Though this may not be your biggest worry when it comes to your teeth grinding, it certainly can benefit your sleeping partner significantly.
- Good for the long term- Even though a night guard is a financial investment, the amount you spend now is a small fraction of the various dental treatments you could need in the future to help repair damage from grinding your teeth. If you grind your teeth, please consult with your dentist about whether a night guard is a promising idea for you.