Should You Be Wearing A Nightguard?
If you’ve ever woken up with a sore jaw, headache or aching teeth, you might be unknowingly grinding or clenching your teeth at night. Nightguards are special types of bite splints made to wear while you’re sleeping. Like professionally fitted athletic mouthguards, it’s fabricated from an impression of your teeth to hug your mouth like a glove. This special fit keeps it securely in place overnight, not to mention more comfortable to wear than an over-the-counter stock appliance.
But who needs to be wearing nightguards? Our Wantrina South dentists recommend them in situations like:
A Recent Smile Makeover.
Did you just get cosmetic veneers or a few porcelain crowns? Keeping them protected at night is crucial for their maintenance and protecting them from unnecessary wear and the risk of chipping. Investing in a nightguard is a smart piece of insurance to have on hand. This will prevent large costs in the future for more dental work.
History of Bruxism.
Extensive teeth clenching and grinding can wear your teeth out prematurely. Over time, grinding can wear down the enamel, leading to sensitivity, cracks, and even tooth loss. Bruxism also contributes to broken dental work, TMJ disorder, and migraines. There are special mouthguards available for bruxism that’s linked with sleep apnoea and snoring.
Tooth Sensitivity
Grinding your teeth can cause enamel erosion that leads to increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods. If you notice that your teeth have become more sensitive, it might be time to consider a nightguard.
When You Wake Up with Headaches.
Some people clench their muscles in the face and around the jaw while they sleep. In the morning, they feel pain that shoots through their jaw and into their forehead. Migraine headaches are common too. This situation is usually attributed to sleep apnoea or bruxism. Wearing a guard can reduce muscle tension by preventing the jaws from fully engaging when you sleep.
TMJ Disorder.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD/TMJD) causes jaw pain, muscle fatigue, headaches, and limited range of motion when you’re opening and closing your mouth. Wearing a splint or guard can lessen the symptoms of TMD.
Benefits of Wearing a Nightguard
Wearing a nightguard can offer several benefits beyond protecting your teeth from grinding. Here’s what you can expect:
- Prevents Tooth Damage: A nightguard acts as a buffer by absorbing the pressure from grinding and clenching, which helps prevent chips, cracks and wear on your teeth.
- Reduces Jaw Pain: By relieving the stress on your jaw muscles, a nightguard can help reduce pain and discomfort in your jaw, neck and shoulders.
- Improves Sleep Quality: Constant grinding and clenching can disrupt your sleep, leaving you feeling tired and irritable. Wearing a nightguard can help you sleep more soundly by minimising these movements.
Alleviates Headaches: If bruxism is causing tension headaches, a nightguard can help reduce the frequency and severity of these headaches by relaxing your jaw muscles.
Get Your Custom Nightguard Today
Contact us at our Wantrina South dentists for a quick impression and consultation. We’ll have your mouthguard or bite splint ready within a matter of days. Our dentist may also recommend other treatments such as stress management techniques, physical therapy, or adjusting your bite, to address the root cause of bruxism. Studfield Dental Group is open on Saturdays and Sundays, too!