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 cases of severe teeth grinding, a guard for the lower teeth may be recommended. Mouthguards not only provide protection but also assist in cushioning the jaw muscles.
Do I require a night guard?
If you wake up with a sore jaw, it may indicate that you are 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. Thankfully, 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?
It is recommended that individuals of all ages, including children and adults, who engage in contact sports like football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey wear mouth guards. Additionally, those participating in non-contact sports such as gymnastics, as well as recreational activities like skateboarding and mountain biking that may carry a risk of mouth injuries, should also consider using protective mouth guards.
Benefits of Using Night Guards
Do you find yourself grinding your teeth unconsciously when feeling angry, stressed, or anxious? This habit, known as bruxism, can have a negative impact on your oral health. Dentists may recommend using a nightguard along with anxiety treatments to protect your teeth.
While a nightguard may not completely eliminate 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 the quality of your sleep and reduce bruxism symptoms.
If you are interested in learning more about nightguards, please 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!
