Whatever the cause, there is one excellent solution to teeth grinding, and that is night guards.
Do you feel excruciating or numb pain in your jaw? Are you experiencing severe headaches? If you can’t get rid of this pain, you might be experiencing something called bruxism. Bruxism causes people to clench or grind their teeth. What causes bruxism? Doctors aren’t 100% sure. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, it could be a combination of physical, psychological, and genetic factors.
Mayo Clinic reported that awake bruxism (grinding your teeth while awake) could be due to anxiety, stress, anger, and frustration. Sleep bruxism (grinding your teeth while asleep), according to the Sleep Foundation, could be due to stress-related emotions, irregular sleep patterns, and lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, snoring, and particular medications.
Whatever the cause, there is one excellent solution to teeth grinding. Enter night guards. A night guard is a custom-made plastic device that covers and protects biting surfaces. Night guards reduce injury to teeth, arches, lips, and gums. Here are the main reasons to wear night guards.
Why People Should Wear Night Guards
People often overlook the advantages of night guards. Here are a few reasons people should wear them.
Prevent Damage to Your Teeth
Enamel loss causes sensitivity. Teeth grinding and uncontrollable, and the more you do it, the more likely you will lose tooth enamel. Teeth grinding also fractures weak teeth and wears out fillings. Drinking a cold glass of water or drinking something hot like tea might be painful because you will no longer have a protective covering. Your teeth are also more sensitive to decay when you don’t wear without enamel protecting your teeth. Sadly, the more your teeth rot, the more likely infections will occur.
Stop Temporomandibular Joint Disorder with Night Guards
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw and skull, affecting the muscles you use to chew. As people clench their teeth when they sleep, they apply pressure to the TMJ, causing misalignment. When misalignment happens, you develop TMJ dysfunction, which makes it hard to chew, causes pain in your ear, and induces headaches. You could also damage your articular disk, which isn’t repairable and can cause disk displacement, leading your jaw to lock open unexpectedly. This unfortunate case requires a trip to the ER, which you can avoid if you invest in wearing a night guard.
Say Goodbye to Chronic Headaches
The first symptoms of bruxism are usually chronic neck aches and headaches because TMJ embodies itself as migraines. Tense neck, shoulders, mouth, and jaw muscles cause headaches. However, we should note that chronic headaches occur for many reasons. Therefore, before you begin a self-diagnosis, we suggest you look at the surface of the teeth. If they are not pointed but flattened, you most likely have been grinding your teeth in your sleep. We also advise you to examine if you have gum or bone recession which can happen because of teeth clenching.
We hope you’ve found these main reasons to wear night guards informative. Your dental health is your wealth. Contact our friendly dentists today if you want to get closer to having that healthy, million-dollar smile.
Catonsville Dental Care is The Best Choice for Your Dental Health
Catonsville Dental Care offers a wide variety of services when it comes to oral health. We have the experience and understanding to diagnose and treat any problem you have as quickly and painlessly as possible. With four dentists available at our office and a commitment to comfort, safety, and relaxation, you can’t find a better provider for your health. We look forward to helping you keep your smile perfect all year long and talking with you about your needs. To schedule an appointment or consultation, visit us online or give us a call at 410-747-1115. For more tips and tricks, follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube.