Do you ever have aching muscles in your face or at the joint of your jaw when you wake up? Do you get a lot of headaches? Do you clench your teeth when you’re at work? Have you been advised by a dentist or hygienist that your teeth are showing symptoms of wear? Do you want to know how to stop teeth grinding during the night?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could benefit from a mouthguard. To use a night guard for teeth grinding is the best possible option for you. Read on to learn what you can do if you’re having trouble sleeping because of jaw clenching and teeth grinding.
What Is A Mouth Guard And Why Do I Need One?
We don’t mean the thick rubbery athletic mouth guards worn by athletes when we say “mouth guards.” We’re talking about a tiny, custom-fitted plastic shield that just fits your teeth. Because most patients choose to wear them while sleeping, we commonly refer to them as “night guards.”
Because much of the first agony from grinding teeth is felt in the TMJ, you may have also heard the phrase “TMJ mouth guard” (temporomandibular joint, or jaw joint). However, these protectors can be worn at any time.
Because over-the-counter guards are typically quite soft, trying to “chew” on them while sleeping might lead to greater grinding. If not handled, that persistent grinding, also known as bruxism, can only lead to further difficulties in the future. Stop grinding your teeth at night with custom-fit night guards and bruxism splints.
Jaw discomfort can be caused by a variety of issues, including arthritis, a jaw injury, or muscular exhaustion produced by clenching or grinding your teeth while sleeping or awake. In the dentistry industry, teeth grinding is referred to as bruxism.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of bruxism?
- Teeth are worn down as a result of excessive grinding.
- When you chew, talk, or open your mouth wide, you may have pain or soreness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear.
- The capacity to expand the mouth wide is limited.
- Jaws that become “stuck” or “locked” in an open or closed mouth
- When you open or close your mouth, you may hear a clicking, cracking, or grating noises in the jaw joint.
- Chewing difficulty or an unexpectedly unpleasant bite
- On the side of the face, there is swelling.
- Toothaches
How Can a Mouth Guard Help with Clenching and Grinding Teeth?
Grinding and clenching cause wear and tear on the teeth, therefore a night guard protect them. Many people are unaware that they are grinding and clenching their teeth until they experience muscular fatigue and tooth sensitivity as a result of their actions. The teeth are protected with the guard in place.
It’s crucial to note that while the mouth guard helps to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with grinding and jaw clenching, it doesn’t always prevent these unintentional activities. For many people, stress is the source of their grinding. A misaligned bite, in which the teeth slide back and forth in an unsuccessful attempt to come together, maybe the reason for others. Bruxism can also be caused by poor sleeping habits. When talking to your dentist or hygienist about your mouthguard needs, be sure to ask about strategies to decrease or eliminate the reasons.
People who grind their teeth experience discomfort as the enamel wears away. Teeth become sensitive to heat and cold if there isn’t enough enamel to cover the surface. Patients may experience receding gums as well as exposed dental roots, loose teeth, and tooth loss.
