Night Guards
It is relatively common for patients to wake up in the morning with a consistent and dull pain in their jaw. For many patients, they accept this as normal and continue on with their day. There are fortunately ways to resolve this and prevent the discomfort of jaw pain from teeth grinding at night. People have often heard of night guards but perhaps have questions regarding their purpose and are curious if they actually work. Below is a summary of night guards and an explanation of how they work. Patients can resolve their jaw pain and protect their teeth to have a more pleasant morning.
Do Night Guards Work
The most common cause of jaw pain is a condition which is called bruxism. Bruxism is a term used to describe chronic grinding of the teeth and jaw clenching. Teeth grinding can occur when patients are awake, and also commonly occurs when patients are sleeping. Many patients are not aware that they grind their teeth in their sleep until their dentist makes them aware of the habit.
The condition can actually be quite serious as it impacts how the teeth fit together, chewing food, and more. Dental professionals often suggest the use of a night guard to protect the teeth from the extreme forces of grinding. Night guards work by creating a barrier between the teeth and alleviating the pressure that is placed on the jaw.
Benefits
Key benefits of night guards are summarized in more detail below:
- Pain: The main purpose of night guards is to resolve issues and symptoms associated with bruxism. This can include tension, damage to the teeth, and pain. Night guards fit securely over the teeth to prevent damage and pain associated with grinding and clenching.
- Sleep: Patients who grind their teeth may wake up more frequently. A night guard aids in reducing or eliminating discomfort from grinding. As a result, they can also improve the patient’s quality of sleep. Tense muscles in the mouth often result in increased tension when sleeping, and the night guard works to prevent this.
- Tooth damage: Chronic grinding can also result in damage to the teeth. The teeth can experience cracks, chips, and wear down over time. A night guard aids in protecting the teeth from this type of damage.
- Headaches: It is common for grinding to cause tension headaches. When patients start using a night guard, it helps alleviate the tension and pain and effectively prevents the associated headaches.
- Snoring: Patients are often surprised to hear that night guards can also improve snoring. A night guard creates a narrow passageway between the jaws. This ultimately increases the airflow and allows for improved breathing. For some patients, this eliminates their snoring altogether. While snoring is not typically the biggest concern associated with grinding, it is a great benefit that also helps improve sleep and eliminates disruption.
- Investment: Night guards are an investment, but provide excellent benefits for patients and help prevent the issues associated with grinding. When patients do not protect their teeth from grinding, it can result in serious, long-term damage. The treatments required to repair the teeth from this damage can also be extremely costly.
Grinding the teeth can have serious consequences. If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth, contact the office to determine if you may be a good candidate for a night guard. Night guards work well and are an excellent solution for protecting the teeth from chronic grinding.