Understing the concept of Nightguards.
Nightguards, also known as dental guards or mouth guards, are devices made to prevent the effects of teeth grinding. They are usually made of strong acrylic resin and can be soft or hard. Your dentist may advise wearing the nightguard on your upper front teeth to prevent contact with the lower front teeth while sleeping. In cases of severe teeth grinding, a guard for the lower teeth may be suggested. In addition to protection, mouthguards also help cushion the jaw muscles.
Do I require a night guard?
If you wake up with a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth, especially if you have a high-stress job and notice your teeth chipping. Teeth grinding can lead to headaches, earaches, and damage to your fillings or teeth over time. Surprisingly, teeth grinding can even wear down the hardest bone in the body, the tooth. In severe cases, it can cause tooth sensitivity and joint wear. However, all these problems can be prevented by using a night guard. We can evaluate your situation to see if you need a night guard.
Should I wear night guards while participating in sports?
It is recommended that individuals of all ages, including children and adults, who engage in contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey, should wear mouth guards. Additionally, individuals participating in non-contact sports like gymnastics, as well as recreational activities such as skateboarding and mountain biking, which may pose a risk of mouth injuries, should also consider using protective mouth guards.
Benefits of Using Night Guards
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can occur unconsciously when feeling angry, stressed, or anxious, whether awake or asleep. This habit can harm oral health. Dentists may suggest using a nightguard along with anxiety treatments like medication or therapy to protect your teeth.
Although a nightguard won't stop teeth grinding, using it regularly can help prevent damage to fillings, avoid chipping or loosening of teeth, and reduce wear on tooth enamel. Additionally, a nightguard may improve sleep quality and reduce bruxism symptoms.
If you're interested in learning more about nightguards, feel free to schedule an appointment with our dentist at Randall Pointe Dental. They can help determine if a nightguard is the right choice for you. Your satisfaction is our top priority!
