Night gUARD
Jaw pain, sore teeth, and morning headaches are all signs of a problem known as bruxism. If you are one of the millions of people who grind and clench their teeth during sleep, take advantage of an easy solution offered by your dentist at Natural Smiles in Louisville, KY. A customized night guard is an immediately effective treatment that protects your oral health, stops pain, and improves quality of sleep.
Oral Health Problems Caused by Bruxism
Bruxism is an unconscious and often chronic habit that can lead to a long list of dental problems and discomfort that lasts day in and day out, including:
- Worn tooth enamel
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Deteriorating dental work
- Lost fillings or crowns
- Gum recession
- Tenderness when eating
- Popping jaw joints
- Headaches
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it is no match for itself. Teeth are meant to chew on food, not gnaw against each other while you sleep.
Possible Causes of Sleep Bruxism
Though sleep bruxism is a common problem, the reason for a night guard will vary from patient to patient. Discovering the source of the teeth grinding is the first step to making the right diagnosis. There are many possible causes of bruxism:
- Ongoing stress
- TMJ problems
- Misalignment
- Bite abnormalities
- Missing teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Sleep apnea
Even if you’ve always had flawless, healthy teeth, untreated bruxism can cause oral health to deteriorate quickly. The most conservative, fast-acting, and long-lasting way to address the problem is with a customized night guard. Some patients, however, may benefit from Invisalign, or dental implants.
Wear your night guard every time you go to sleep – yes, even for naps – and this small effort will have a huge payoff, minimizing and ideally eliminating any side effects of teeth grinding immediately. If you developed oral health problems because of the bruxism, they will still need to be corrected so they do not become more severe, but the future will be pain-free and problem-free.
How a Night Guard Prevents Bruxism
Night guards are personalized to a patient’s mouth and dentition to ensure a helpful, snug fit. The plastic of the night guard – which is thicker than the average Invisalign aligner – is clear, smooth, and comfortable. It offers immediate relief from teeth grinding and protects the upper and lower teeth from each other.
Most night guards are full-coverage, meaning they fit around the entire top teeth. The appliance is comfortable to wear while sleeping and incredibly durable. Your night guard is likely to last for years with good care, but it’s important to have your dentist check it occasionally for any damage or wear and tear from your bruxism habit.
Only an impression of your teeth is needed to get the night guard creation started. The mold is then sent to a dental lab and, once the appliance is ready, offers immediate relief. This brief wait is worth it, because you will have a customized mouthpiece to correct the problems you’re experiencing. Don’t be tempted by ineffectual over-the-counter guards that are flawed in both fit and function.
Visit Your Dentist in Louisville for a Bruxism Night Guard
Bruxism may not haunt you every night, but it’s critical to report any tooth or jaw pain to your dentist immediately, even if the issue is sporadic. Getting a speedy diagnosis of teeth grinding will save you from tooth and gum complications and unnecessary pain in your jaw joints and muscles – not to mention the time, cost, and energy you will save bypassing dental damage.
A night guard interrupts dental problems in progress and serves as a preventive measure for healthy teeth. Contact Natural Smiles to schedule a consultation to discuss a customized night guard, sleep bruxism, and teeth grinding.