A nightguard is a mouth guard worn while you sleep to protect your teeth and jaw from clenching and grinding. Clenching and grinding can cause excessive wear on the teeth, leading to chips, cracks, and even tooth loss.
Nightguards are soft plastic and fit comfortably over your teeth. They absorb force and friction from tooth grinding that can wear away enamel and damage teeth.
However, nightguards aren’t just for people who grind their teeth at night. Numerous conditions can benefit from wearing a nightguard. Learn whether you should wear an oral device at night and when to visit a dentist for a custom fitting.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth, which can cause them to become worn, chipped, or cracked. Bruxism can also lead to headaches, jaw pain, and tooth sensitivity. The cause of bruxism is not always known, but it may be related to stress, anxiety, or sleep disorders.
A nightguard can help protect your teeth from the damage caused by bruxism by absorbing the grinding force and reducing tension and pain in the jaw muscles.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
TMJ is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jawbone to the skull. It can cause pain in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, making it difficult to open and close your mouth.
The prevalence of TMJ is between 5% and 12%. Fortunately, TMJ is treatable, and using a nightguard can be an effective, non-invasive way to manage the condition.
A nightguard can help relieve some of the symptoms of TMJ because it keeps the jaw in a relaxed position, alleviating pain and reducing inflammation.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring is often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder in which breathing stops for short periods during sleep, often up to 10 seconds. This can prevent your body from receiving enough oxygen, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
The nightguard worn for snoring and sleep apnea differs slightly from a custom mouthguard. Oral appliances for sleep apnea are designed to keep the airway open by gently pushing the lower jaw and tongue forward. This helps prevent the soft tissue in the back of the throat from collapsing and blocking the airway.
Veneers or Dental Restorations
Veneers and dental restorations are dental procedures used to improve the appearance of teeth and provide added strength. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are cemented to the front of teeth. Restorations, like fillings and crowns, replace tooth structures lost due to decay or damage.
A nightguard is often recommended for people with veneers or other dental restorations, as these teeth are more susceptible to damage. The nightguard keeps the teeth in alignment, preventing them from grinding and causing chips or cracks. This can prolong the restoration’s lifespan.
Protect Your Teeth With Smile On Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center
Visit Smile On Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center for custom oral appliances to protect your teeth and improve sleep quality. Contact us to book an appointment and learn more about how oral appliance therapy can help you get a good night’s sleep.