Understing the concept of Nightguards.
Nightguards, also referred to as dental guards or mouth guards, are designed to prevent the consequences of teeth grinding. Typically crafted from durable acrylic resin, they can be either soft or hard. Your dentist may recommend wearing the nightguard on your upper front teeth to avoid contact with the lower front teeth during sleep. In instances of intense teeth grinding, a guard for the lower teeth may be recommended. In addition to providing protection, mouthguards also serve to cushion the jaw muscles.
Do I require a night guard?
If you wake up with a sore jaw, it may be a sign that you are grinding your teeth, especially if you have a high-stress job and notice your teeth chipping. Teeth grinding can result in 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 lead to tooth sensitivity and joint wear. Fortunately, all of these issues can be avoided by using a night guard. We can assess your situation to determine if a night guard is necessary for you.
Should I wear night guards while participating in sports?
Individuals of all ages, including children and adults, who participate in contact sports like football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey are advised to wear mouth guards. It is also recommended that individuals engaging in non-contact sports like gymnastics, as well as recreational activities such as skateboarding and mountain biking, which may carry a risk of mouth injuries, should consider using protective mouth guards.
Benefits of Using Night Guards
Do you grind your teeth unconsciously when feeling angry, stressed, or anxious? This habit, known as bruxism, can harm your oral health. Dentists may recommend using a nightguard along with anxiety treatments to protect your teeth.
While 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. It may also improve sleep quality and reduce bruxism symptoms.
If you're interested in learning more about nightguards, 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!
