Mouthguards (Night Guard) Grinding and clenching, also called bruxism, is a common and very painful condition. Not only can it leave you with a sore jaw in the morning, but it can also cause tooth damage and lead to significant issues with the joints in your mouth. Advanced Dental Associates can help to alleviate the pain and prevent the risk of tooth damage with a nighttime mouthguard.Why Do I Need a Mouthguard?If you have nighttime bruxism, this means that you grind and clench your teeth during your sleep. Unfortunately, because you are asleep, this means that you cannot consciously stop it. Grinding and clenching put a substantial amount of pressure on your teeth, your jaws, and the joints in your mouth. The pressure can tire the muscles in your mouth, leading to pain. It can also irritate the temporomandibular joint, making it painful to bite, chew, or move your mouth at all. The pressure can cause your teeth to wear down quickly. They may even break under excessive force. Grinding can also cause the teeth to become loose, which can lead to tooth loss. A mouthguard is designed to help absorb the pressures you exert when you’re bruxing. It helps to keep the force off of your teeth and your jaws, which helps to protect these structures, as well as your joints and your facial muscles. It helps to alleviate your pain and protect the structures within your mouth. Types of MouthguardsThere are a few different types of mouthguards to help alleviate the symptoms of bruxism. A soft mouthguard is one of the most common types. Made for those who have mild to moderate bruxism, the mouthguard is easy to get used to and is generally more affordable. A dual laminate mouthguard is designed for those with moderately severe bruxism. It is a harder, thicker material that can stand up to greater forces. A hard mouthguard is meant for those with severe bruxism. It is the hardest type of mouthguard and can stand up to the strongest grinding and clenching. Based on your specific situation, we can help you to choose the best type of mouthguard for you. What is the Benefit of a Custom Mouthguard?You may have noticed that there are mouthguards available at the pharmacy. While these types of mouthguards are more affordable, they are not always the best option. Instead, to help alleviate the symptoms of bruxism, we recommend a custom fit one. Over the counter mouthguards may not fit properly, which means that they may not be effective. They may slip out of your mouth while you sleep. They can even interfere with your breathing. A custom fit mouthguard, on the other hand, is made to fit your mouth perfectly. Additionally, we use the highest quality materials to help ensure that your mouthguard is both effective and long-lasting. Can I Do Anything Actually to Stop Bruxism?A nighttime mouthguard can alleviate the symptoms of bruxism, but it can’t stop the condition. There are a few ways that bruxism can be stopped, but you first need to determine what is causing it to happen in the first place. For stress-related bruxism, stress relief such as yoga, deep breathing, and mediation may be able to help. Botox injections can weaken the muscles that cause bruxism, helping to put a stop to it. For bruxism caused by alignment issues, orthodontic treatment may be recommended. If bruxism is affecting your life, a nightguard may be able to help. For more information, call Advanced Dental Associates at (210) 714-5589 today. |
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