Teeth grinders can benefit from wearing a nightguard.
For people who grind their teeth in their sleep, it can be a hard habit to break because you don’t realize you are doing it. Teeth grinding is something that can be prevented and should be because grinding can wear the teeth down. The office of Dr. Steven A. Lang, DDS, near Middletown, Ohio, can recommend a nightguard to those who grind their teeth at night.
What is teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding is known as bruxism in the dental world. Bruxism is a condition where a person grinds or clenches their teeth, and it can affect both adults and children. The condition can happen at any time, and researchers have found that bruxism happens more often when people are awake, but bruxism when people are sleeping has been studied more.
Bruxism can be caused by:
- Stress
- Mood
- Nervousness
- Smoking
- Genes
- Consuming caffeine or alcohol
- Medication
Most of the time, bruxism is mild and does not require any treatment.
Symptoms of Bruxism
Often, people don’t realize they suffer from bruxism because it happens when they are sleeping, or when they are stressed and preoccupied with other things. Some of the symptoms of bruxism include:
- Worn tooth enamel
- Flattened, chipped, cracked, or loose teeth
- Exposed inner tooth layers
- Tooth pain and sensitivity
- Jaw soreness
- Tightness in the jaw
- Tired jaw muscles
- Headaches
- Pain in the face
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make a visit to Dr. Steven A. Lang’s office for a dental evaluation. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to long-term damage to your teeth, mouth, and jaw.
Can a nightguard provide relief?
Dentists have been using nightguards for years to treat bruxism. A nightguard is a dental appliance that is worn at night while a person sleeps. It holds the jaw and teeth in place so that a person doesn’t grind their teeth while they sleep.
Nightguards are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies. They are usually one size fits most, however, some are made of a durable plastic that, when boiled in water, can be molded to the mouth.
While those can do the job, they aren’t made specifically for a person, so they don’t always fit correctly or comfortably. A dentist can provide a custom-fitted nightguard that fits comfortably.
Why you might need a nightguard.
There are many reasons why a person might need a nightguard. They include:
- A partner hearing you grind your teeth at night
- Cracks or wear on the surfaces of your molars
- Headaches in the morning
- Jaw pain in the morning
- Referred pain that feels like an earache without problems in your ear
- Tooth pain or extra sensitivity
- Waking up unrefreshed from a full night of sleep or frequently waking at night
- Worn tooth enamel
Get a custom-fitted nightguard.
If your dentist decides you need a nightguard to prevent bruxism, they can custom fit you for one. Your dentist will create a mold of your teeth and bite using either dental putty or a wand that will create a 3D scan of your mouth. That information is then sent to a dental laboratory where a cast is made and a nightguard is fabricated. Each nightguard is created individually so that it fits comfortably in your mouth. A custom-made nightguard at your dentist’s office will cost a little more than one you can buy over-the-counter, but the one your dentist creates for you will fit more comfortably and last longer.
Not only can a custom-made nightguard prevent bruxism in patients who wear them, but a nightguard can help those who snore and suffer from sleep apnea.
What are the benefits of wearing a nightguard?
A nightguard is designed to hold the mouth and jaw in place, protecting the teeth.
When a nightguard is worn consistently, it can prevent bruxism and save the enamel on the teeth from being worn down from grinding.
Visit Dr. Lang for a consultation today.
If you realize you are grinding your teeth during the day or find that you wake up with a sore jaw, make an appointment with Dr. Lang for a dental evaluation. He can recommend some tips for treating bruxism. He can also make a custom-fitted nightguard to help with bruxism. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
