Do Night Guards Work?
Teeth Grinding
Some patients notice that they experience an ongoing dull pain in their jaw every morning and may not be aware of the cause. Many people grind their teeth and clench their jaws, which is also a condition called bruxism. Bruxism commonly occurs at night when patients are asleep. Fortunately, patients do not have to accept this issue as there are ways to resolve the jaw pain and stop the teeth grinding.
Night Guards
Night guards are one of the most common solutions used to resolve teeth grinding. Patients are often curious regarding the purpose of the guards and question if the night guards’ work. A summary of the benefits of night guards and how they work is outlined below.
Effective Solution
Bruxism or chronic grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw is the most common cause of jaw pain. While teeth grinding can occur when a patient is awake, it is especially common when the patient is asleep. As a result, patients may not even be aware of the habit. Their dentist may inform them of the grinding during a routine checkup when they notice signs of the issue.
Grinding can be rather serious and cause issues with how the teeth fit together, the ability to chew, and result in other consequences. A night guard is often recommended by dental professionals as it protects the teeth from the consequences of grinding. A night guard creates a barrier between the teeth, which in turn eliminates the extreme pressure placed on the jaw.
Below are some of the benefits associated with using a night guard.
Pain
The main purpose of night guards is to resolve issues and symptoms associated with bruxism. This can include tension, damage to the teeth, and pain. Night guards fit securely over the teeth to prevent damage and pain associated with grinding and clenching.
Headaches
Chronic grinding often results in painful tension headaches. The use of a night guard helps alleviate the tension in the jaw and can prevent these types of headaches from occurring.
Sleep and Snoring
The habit of patients grinding their teeth can cause them to wake up throughout the night, which is incredibly disruptive. The guard helps minimize discomfort and pressure, which can result in improved sleep.
Another benefit is that night guards can improve or eliminate snoring. The guard creates a narrow passageway between the jaws which increases the airflow. This can improve the patient’s ability to breath and ultimately eliminate snoring. Improved sleep and eliminating the disruption of grinding is a helpful benefit of a night guard.
Preserving Teeth
One major issue associated with chronic grinding is damage to the teeth. Grinding can cause issues such as chips, cracks, and wear to the enamel. Night guards work to protect the teeth and prevent serious damage.
Cost
Night guards are relatively affordable, especially compared to the cost of restoring damaged teeth. Night guards are highly effective in preventing consequences associated with grinding. Untreated grinding can quickly cause serious, long-term damage to the teeth. Restoring damaged teeth can be extremely expensive.
Patients can experience serious consequences from grinding their teeth and night guards are an excellent solution for preventing damage. Contact the office today to discuss if you may benefit from using a night guard.