7 Reasons Why You Might Need Dental Night Guards

Friday, 25 March 2022 Written by Maggie Holmes

Do you wake up with a throbbing headache? Or do you find that your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold beverages? Do you sometimes wonder why your teeth look yellowish and stained, even though you brush and floss regularly?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you could have a condition known as bruxism — which is just a fancy term for grinding your teeth.

Most of us grind our teeth sometimes. But if it becomes frequent, it can lead to serious dental problems.

You wake up in the morning with a dull headache and a sore jaw, and your teeth feel like they're covered in sandpaper. It's time to get a night guard. Dental night guards are custom-made plastic splints that fit over your upper or lower teeth. They're designed to protect your teeth from grinding against each other and causing damage during sleep. They act as a cushion between your teeth so you don't damage them or wake up with headaches caused by clenching your jaw too tightly.

It's not uncommon for people to grind their teeth during sleep. But if you do it on a frequent basis, you could be causing damage that may be irreversible.

A night guard is designed to keep your teeth from touching each other while you sleep. Some are custom-fitted, while others can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy or drugstore.

If you're unsure if you need a night guard, read on. These are some of the reasons why you might need to take action now before it's too late.

Teeth grinding

If you're grinding your teeth at night, you may not be aware of the damage it's causing to your mouth. The effects of bruxism can range from headaches and jaw pain to cracked or missing teeth. You might not know you're doing it, but your partner might hear the grinding noises at night. Your dentist may be able to diagnose a problem during routine checkups as well.

To prevent tooth cracks and fractures

If you grind your teeth at night, you could crack your tooth's enamel, which can lead to serious dental problems if left untreated. Nightguards protect your teeth from nighttime wear, keeping them healthy and strong.

If you have dental fillings or crowns, they can be damaged by bruxism. Your dentist may recommend a nightguard to protect your dental work.

To relieve pain associated with bruxism

Many people who grind their teeth have facial pain as a result of their nighttime habits. A nightguard will keep the upper and lower jaws from touching each other, relieving pain caused by grinding.

Tooth enamel erosion

The enamel on your teeth is very hard and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, it's not invincible — if you grind or clench your teeth often enough, the enamel will eventually wear down. This exposes the softer dentin underneath the enamel, which isn't as durable. If your enamel wears away completely, it can even expose the nerves inside your tooth, which can make drinking hot or cold liquids painful. A dental night guard protects your teeth from wearing down by providing a barrier between your top and bottom teeth.

Jaw pain

Jaw pain is another reason why people might need a dental night guard. Jaw pain can be caused by many different conditions — such as jaw injuries, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) or even some medical problems with the nerves, muscles or blood vessels in the face and head area. No matter what the cause of jaw pain, a night mouth guard can provide protection from worsening damage.

Headaches

Another common symptom of bruxism is headaches, which can be caused by the constant clenching and grinding that occurs during sleep. A dental night guard helps to relieve this constant pressure on the jaw joints, thus reducing headaches and migraines.

Broken dental restorations

Excessive wear on teeth is one of the most common reasons for using a dental night guard. When your jaw is tense and you're clenching or grinding your teeth, you can wear away important tooth enamel. This can make your teeth more susceptible to cavities, infections and other damage that can significantly impact your smile and oral health. Even if you don't notice any wear on your teeth, it's worth getting checked by a dentist to be sure there isn't any damage. A dental night guard can protect your smile from further harm.

Restore the health of your smile!

Author Bio
Maggie Holmes is a passionate blog writer who is extremely keen on writing about home improvement and lifestyle. Her exclusive hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time. Follow her on Twitter.

This article was submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Maggie Holmes. 

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