What is a Night Guard Supposed to Do?
Bruxism is a medical term for when you grind or clench your teeth or jaw. Grinding is moving your jaw back and forth. Clenching is when you bite down with excessive force for extended periods of time. Bruxism is a common condition and occurs most often during sleep or when you are under stress. Most people do not know they grind their teeth in their sleep until they are informed by either their sleep partner or dentist.
Grinding teeth over time causes extensive damage to the structure and enamel of your teeth, which will lead to decay or increased sensitivity. It may also cause headaches, sleep disruption, and result in pain in your face, jaw, and neck.
Factors that may increase your chances of developing bruxism include:
- Your Age- Bruxism is actually more common in young children.
- Personality Type- If you are competitive, aggressive, or hyperactive, you may experience bruxism.
- Emotionally Intense- People unconsciously grind their teeth when stressed or if they feel angry or frustrated.
- Certain Medications and Substances- Drinking caffeine or alcohol, tobacco use, and certain psychiatric medications can increase your risk of bruxism.
- Other Health Conditions- Bruxism might also be associated with other conditions, like sleep apnea, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder.
What Is a Custom Night Guard?
A night guard looks like the tray used for teeth whitening and will sit snuggly on your teeth to protect them from grinding or clenching. The night guard might also be referred to as an occlusal splint, occlusal guard, or bite splint. A teeth protector for sleeping may not completely stop you from clenching or grinding your teeth, but it will shield and cushion your teeth from excessive wear and will help re-establish the natural space between your upper and lower teeth.
Your dentist may recommend a night guard to help you with your morning headaches, for TMJ jaw pain relief, and to prevent further damage to your teeth, crowns, jaw, or dental restorations.
Why Is It Beneficial to Get a Night Guard for Jaw Clenching?
Ignoring your bruxism symptoms will easily result in serious dental issues requiring future expensive dental treatments. As an example, bruxism is actually a primary cause of root canals. If you grind your teeth, you may experience up to two millimeters of enamel erosion as a young adult, which then increases your risk for cavities. Jaw clenching will subject your jaw and teeth to as much as 40 minutes of intensive pressure per hour, which will quickly result in jaw and muscle pain.
You can buy a cheaper night guard at a retail store, but there are several reasons why it is worth having your dentist create a custom-fitted night guard:
- A custom-fitted night guard keeps your jaw in proper alignment, which helps with TMJ jaw pain relief.
- A custom-fitted night guard will fit correctly, which makes it more comfortable, and it will not fall out during the night.
- A custom-fitted night guard will last longer because they are made from better materials.
Will a Night Guard Provide TMJ Jaw Pain Relief?
A night guard is not the only treatment available for bruxism for TMJ joint pain, but it is an affordable, convenient, and non-invasive option. A properly fitted night guard will shift your jaw and teeth into their proper alignment, which alleviates jaw tension, headaches, pain, and other symptoms of TMJ syndrome.