06 Apr How A Mouth Guard Can Help with Nightly Teeth Grinding
Do you ever wake up with your jaw hurting? Headaches? Or to your partner nudging you awake because of the sound of grinding teeth?
Clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism) is a difficult thing to stop, especially since most people do it unconsciously. However, it can be extremely damaging, causing problems like enamel wear, cracked teeth, jaw pain, headaches and more. One of the best solutions to this problem is wearing a mouth guard at night while you sleep.
What Causes Bruxism?
The exact cause of bruxism is unclear. I could stem from multiple sources or vary from person to person. Some of the most common causes include:
- Stress
- Too much caffeine
- Sleep apnea
- Some types of medications, like SSRIs or ADHD medications
Even if you aren’t sure of the cause, the results can be very clear. Bruxism can cause side effects like:
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Tooth pain
- Worn-down enamel
- Sore jaw
- Gum deterioration from repeated pressure from the teeth
- Earaches or headaches
- Ringing in your ears
- Pain when opening or closing your mouth
These problems can often be severe, leading to missed school or work days, mistakes from exhaustion, and even poor health if you can’t open your mouth to eat or have pain when chewing. It can also make problems like TMJ disorders worse.
How Will a Mouth Guard Help?
Mouth guards are useful for more than protecting your teeth during contact sports (although that function is very important). But they can also be used to mitigate the damaging effects of bruxism.
Mouth guards give your teeth a protective barrier. Their cushioned interior and hard outer portion absorbs the impact when you clench or grind your teeth. The force of the impact is then distributed throughout the guard, which eases the pressure on your teeth and jaw. They can also protect your soft tissues, like cheeks,and tongue, from damage caused by biting down with force on these areas.
Mouth guards can be for upper, lower, or both sets of teeth. There are two kinds of mouthguards available:
- Store-bought mouth guards are either ready-to-wear or boil-and-bite. While the boil-and-bite guards allow a little more customization, they are not always as effective as a custom-fitted set.
- Custom-made mouthguards are made by your dentist to fit your mouth perfectly. They are more comfortable and provide better protection, but are a little more expensive than store-bought versions.
Where to Get Custom Mouth Guards in Prescott, Arizona
If you have bruxism, you might notice symptoms like headaches or earaches, severe jaw pain, or tooth sensitivity. Your dentist might also notice worn enamel, cracks, or chips in your teeth. Don’t let the damage continue! Make an appointment with a dentist who can fit you with a custom mouth guard.
Here at Hicks Dental Group, we offer the best dental care in the Prescott area. Our team of expert dentists can help you find relief from the effects of clenching or grinding your teeth. Contact us today to request an appointment.
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