Alternatives to a Night Guard?
Many Americans of all ages across the country often wake up with constant, dull jaw pain and accept it as a way of life, yet it does not have to be. You might have heard about night guards and wonder if they really work. You certainly could experience a more pleasant, less painful morning.
One dental problem you might suffer from while you sleep is bruxism. Commonly known as teeth grinding, bruxism might result in chipped, worn-down teeth or other jaw problems.
Several Alternatives to a Night Guard
A night guard is a popular solution for bruxism, but there are still alternatives to treat the various forms of bruxism. If a night guard is either uncomfortable or does not correct and remedy your situation, consider these options to discuss with your dentist.
- Occlusal Splints- A quite similar treatment to a night guard is an occlusal splint. While a night guard prevents damage from teeth grinding, a night guard will not correct teeth grinding.
An occlusal splint will help reposition your jaw muscles, so bruxism does not occur while you sleep. Your dentist can create an occlusal splint with a mouth mold. The mold forms around your teeth and can be made for either the top or bottom arch.
An occlusal splint works well if you are seeking mouth corrections. You may grind your teeth because they are not aligned correctly or because you have an overbite or underbite. The splint protects your teeth from any additional damage while your body naturally adjusts to the proper jaw and teeth placement to reduce teeth grinding.
Caring for your occlusal splint is much like a night guard. Usually, the splint comes in the form of a plastic mold, and you can soak it in water and brush it to remove germs.
- Botox Treatments- Bruxism often happens as a result of tense jaw muscles and may have nothing to do with your teeth. The damage is caused by the movements of the jaw. One way to relieve tight jaw muscles is with Botox treatments.
Botox has successfully expanded beyond the world of cosmetics and is now used for facial muscle issues. An injection directly into your jaw muscle will help the muscle relax, therefore preventing the clenching movements.
Botox will wear off, and your dentist might recommend that you repeat the treatment every few months. In time, your body will naturally learn to stop clenching the jaw muscle.
- Biofeedback- Another alternative to train your jaw to stop clenching is through biofeedback treatments. Biofeedback treatment involves a small electrode that monitors your jaw activity during your sleep.
This technology will trigger a response when it senses your jawbone tightening. Your body is alerted to stop the tightening action through vibration or sound. When you go to sleep, the device usually attaches behind an ear or on the back of your head.
Biofeedback inevitably conditions your body to stop jaw clenches with the intervention. You will naturally begin to stop your jaw from clenching during sleep with and then without the biofeedback device installed. The actual length of treatment time needed will depend on a range of factors.