While some people may be unaware that they grind their teeth, others can be heard making high-pitched “bruxing” noises every night as they sleep.
Bruxing is commonly referred to as “grinding your teeth,” as it’s characteristically a sign that you’re either grinding or about to do so.
It’s a common occurrence for people of all ages, but it’s especially common among those who grind their teeth constantly.
One of the most common misconceptions about bruxism is that it’s a sign of poor dental hygiene, but this is not the case. We do this is usually associated with stress, anxiety, insomnia, or boredom.
If you’re grinding your teeth at night, you’re more likely to do so because you’re tired and don’t have enough time to relax.
When grinding your teeth during the day, you’re more likely to do so because you’re stressed or bored.
However, bruxism is much more than that. It is a prevalent behavior associated with several health problems.
What Are the Medical and Dental Consequences of Bruxism?
Bruxism can lead to various dental consequences. The most common is tooth grinding, which can cause wear and tear on your teeth, leading to other dental problems.
Additionally, bruxism can also lead to periodontal disease, which is a condition in which bacteria build up in the teeth.
If left untreated, bruxism can even lead to perforation of the tooth. If this occurs, the tooth may have to be extracted, and you may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection. It is in these instances that it’s imperative to check out this dentist in edgewater for proper intervention before things get even more serious.
How a Teeth Night Guard Can Help With Bruxism
A mouthguard can be handy for anyone who’s struggling with bruxism.
A teeth night guard is a retainer-like piece of plastic covering that goes over the teeth and helps safeguard the teeth from getting damaged due to teeth grinding.
The teeth night guard can be worn on either the top or bottom jaw, and you can get one from your dentist or even a pharmaceutical store.
These are one-size-fits-all options and are the cheapest night guards you’ll come across in the market.
But some may require a bit of boiling before you bite into them so they can create your dental impression.
However, since people have unique teeth and jawline patterns, you can get a custom-made night guard from a teeth night guard lab.
All you’ll have to do is have your dental impressions taken by your dentist, send them to them, and they’ll use the images to create a fitted mouthguard that they will then send to you for use.
The mouth guard will be specially molded to fit your teeth so you won’t have to feel like it’s unnecessarily bulky or uncomfortable to wear.
Note that there are three kinds of mouth night guards:
- Soft Guard – A soft night guard is perhaps the most common night guard and is best for people with mild or occasional bruxism.
- Dual Laminate – These night guards have a hard exterior but are soft on the inside, making them the best option for those with moderately severe bruxism.
- Hard Guard – These night guards are often relatively rigid since they are mostly made from acrylic. However, this makes them highly durable and are great options for people with severe bruxism.
Here is a list of ways anyone suffering from bruxism can benefit from wearing a teeth night guard.
1. Alleviate Tension from the Jaw
One common thing that people do is clench their jaws when sleeping. The jaw joint that experiences this tension is known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The condition is called temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) when this joint is not properly aligned.
TMD is responsible for jaw tension and pain, but wearing a teeth night guard can reduce this stress so your jaw can relax as you sleep.
2. Avoid Tooth Damage
Wearing a teeth night guard helps prevent the upper and lower teeth from contact, which can cause a host of dental problems.
Teeth grinding can cause wear and tear on the teeth, leading to enamel loss and, ultimately, breaking or chipping the teeth.
3. Experience a Healthier Sleep Pattern
If you suffer from bruxism, you probably woke up with a headache. This is because clenching and hard grinding of the teeth can cause jaw aches and muscle fatigue.
A teeth night guard is an excellent solution to grinding and clenching, preventing jaw pain and any other discomfort.
4. Prevent Toothaches and Headaches
Since teeth night guards help relieve pain and discomfort, they promote a healthy sleeping pattern. Your jaw muscles will relax, and you can sleep stress-free for a peaceful night’s rest.
Things You Can Do to Reduce the Chance of Bruxism Happening in the First Place
While wearing a nightguard will effectively reduce your chances of suffering the damaging effects of bruxism, you can do a few things to reduce the possibility of bruxism from happening in the first place.
First, it’s essential to be aware of your habits and create a plan to change them if necessary. Second, be sure that you have good dental hygiene.
A healthy diet and regular exercise are two essential components of good dental hygiene. Third, avoid slamming your teeth together too much. Doing so can cause wear on your teeth and lead to bruxism.
Last but not least, seek professional help if you’re experiencing any problems with your teeth or jaw. Your dentist might recommend dental implants to help combat bruxism.
Dental implants are a type of implant that is inserted into the jawbone. The implant is then used to hold the teeth in place while they’re healed, which can be a lengthy process.
However, dental implants have several advantages over traditional fillings. Dental implants are more permanent and can last for many years, even after you stop using them.
Dental implants are less likely to cause toothaches or other dental problems.
To Sum It Up
In most cases, bruxism is harmless and doesn’t require any medical attention, but it can still have severe consequences for the sufferers.
It can cause pain, difficulty with speech and other activities, and even physical problems in the jaw and teeth.
So, if you have bruxism, it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid any further damage.
Sandra is a health blogger based in San Diego, California. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. She loves being outdoors and exploring new places with her husband. She is a mom of two awesome kids and a dog named Luna!