Why You Could Benefit from a Dental Night Guard
There are cause-and-effect issues that impact the condition of your teeth and your general health.
For example, you could awaken with headaches or jaw pain or you might notice that your teeth are weakening and appear worn.
The solution for those conditions could be an occlusal guard commonly known as a night guard.
What is a dental (night) guard?
A night guard is a custom-designed dental appliance that is most often worn during sleep (thus being called a night guard).
The appliance is made of safe, durable plastic or resin. It's custom-made to fit over your upper or lower teeth.
A night guard creates a barrier between the surfaces of your upper and lower teeth.
The appliance's main function is to prevent your teeth from grinding against each other - a common issue during sleep.
The oral health conditions that require the use of a night guard
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Clenching or grinding your teeth during sleep can potentially damage your teeth.
You could experience a variety of dental issues such as:
• Worn or damaged tooth enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw pain
• Headaches
A night guard provides cushioning against the impact of any grinding or clenching you do during sleep. The oral appliance helps reduce the risk of tooth damage and the discomfort that can result from overnight clenching.
Your tooth enamel is protected
The pressure exerted when grinding or clenching your teeth can lead to the erosion of your tooth enamel.
Wearing a night guard during sleep creates a protective barrier that absorbs the force applied when your grind or clench your teeth.
You could experience less jaw pain
A night guard helps your jaw muscles relax when you sleep. You could wake up with a substantially less jaw pain, jaw joint stiffness, and the tension that's common with TMJ disorder.
Your headache potential could be reduced
Use of a night guard reduces the tension-causing effects of teeth grinding and clenching. Thus your tension headaches and migraine issues can be diminished with consistent use of the appliance.
Your dental investments are protected
Dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, or veneers are at risk if you grind or clench your teeth. These treatments can be damaged or dislodge as a result.
A night guard creates a protective barrier around your dental restorations. The appliance can help you avoid costly replacement or repairs and prolong the life of your oral health investments.
