What is a Night Guard Supposed to Do?
Grinding the teeth during the night is quite common. Another term for chronic grinding is bruxism. It can cause serious issues including headaches, damage to the teeth, and pain in the jaw. Dentists often suggest that patients use a night guard when they observe signs of grinding. Night guards work by relieving the pressure placed on the jaw, protecting the teeth, and preventing serious damage.
Symptoms
There are different symptoms associated with grinding such as damage to the tooth’s enamel, decay, and sensitivity. Additional symptoms can include sleep interruptions, pain in the neck, jaw, or face, and tension headaches.
Teeth Grinding
Grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw occurs when a patient bites down and moves their jaw back and forth together. Over time, this habit puts an extreme amount of pressure on the jaws and teeth. Many patients are affected by bruxism at varying degrees. The grinding can take place during the day but is more common when the patient is asleep. This habit may occur due to high levels of stress or without any trigger. In many cases, the patient is not aware that they grind their teeth until they are made aware from their dentist.
Night Guard
Night guards are a thin tray that fits directly over the teeth and may also look like a whitening tray. Other terms used to describe the device include a bite splint, occlusal splint or guard. While the night guard does not stop the patient from clenching or grinding, it does prevent serious damage to the teeth and jaw. Another benefit of the guard is that it creates natural space between the teeth.
Bruxism Risk Factors
The following are risk factors which can make a patient more likely to experience bruxism:
- Age - patients who are younger are at an increased risk for bruxism
- Stress - teeth grinding can be a patient’s reaction to anger, frustration, and high levels of stress
- Personality - individuals that are highly competitive, aggressive, or extremely active are more likely to grind their teeth
- Medications and substances - things such as tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and certain medications can increase the risk of bruxism
- Sleep & Health - Patients with sleep apnea, epilepsy, and other types of health issues may also be at an increased risk for grinding. Patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Parkinson’s disease are also at an increased risk for the issue.
Consequences
Untreated bruxism can cause oral health problems, resulting in the need for costly treatments. One of the leading causes of root canals is actually teeth grinding. The main consequence of teeth grinding is the tooth enamel eroding. The tooth’s enamel works to protect the teeth, and the loss of enamel can lead to cavities. When patients clench their jaw together, it puts a great deal of force on the temporomandibular joint. This can cause tension and create significant discomfort. A night guard is effective in protecting the teeth and jaw.
Night Guard Benefits
Below are some of the key benefits associated with using a night guard.
- Teeth and enamel are protected
- Preservation of the tooth’s structure
- Pain and discomfort are prevented
- Eliminates disruption during sleep and improves the quality of sleep
- Helps prevent tension headaches
- Prevents movement of the teeth by maintaining alignment and the bite
A night guard is an effective method used to protect the teeth from grinding. If you are concerned about grinding your teeth at night, call the office to discuss how you may benefit from using a night guard.