Night Guards for Long-Term Dental Health
You wake up with a sore jaw or a slight headache. It happens here and there. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until one day in your 50s or 60s, your teeth look much shorter. What happened?
Data show that 60% of people grind their teeth at night. Chronic teeth grinding is called Bruxism. This means that for at least 8 hours a day, you are wearing down your teeth. Not only are you wearing them down, but you are also creating stress fractures that can lead to crowns and root canals.
Teeth grinding solution:
A straightforward fix is to wear a night guard when you sleep. A properly fitted night guard will help protect your teeth from clenching and grinding.
Discussing the root cause of teeth grinding with your doctor or healthcare provider is essential. Teeth grinding often comes and goes with stress, and this is when we least have the time or energy to address the root of the problem. Therefore, having a mouth guard for nighttime use is beneficial for preventing long-term tooth problems.
Who should wear a mouthguard?
They aren’t for everyone. Sometimes, night guards can cause problems if you’ve had trauma to your mouth or teeth, and it is healing. And hey, maybe you don’t have much stress in your life, and you don’t grind your teeth. Again, it wouldn’t be necessary.
The problem is that most people don’t know they grind their teeth because…drumroll, please…they are asleep. Our dentists can generally determine if you are a tooth grinder and help you find a mouth guard that will work best for your unique mouth.
All mouthguards are not created equal!
Yes, mouth guards are available at the drugstore or online. They would help protect your teeth, but it’s like putting tape on your feet to protect them from rocks, glass, and debris while walking on the street, rather than wearing properly fitting shoes that align with your whole body.
Dr. Tom will ensure your night guard is aligned and fits as closely as possible to feel natural in your mouth.
Other solutions to teeth grinding.
As a holistic-focused dental team, we like to ask the big questions. What else can help with teeth grinding that’s natural and effective?
One significant factor is mercury in your mouth. This can lead to toxicity in your body, which activates a stress response. This is one of the many reasons some people choose to remove mercury, and why we don’t use it in our office.
Calcium, magnesium, and zinc deficiencies have been linked to teeth grinding. A good calcium/magnesium supplement can also help your nervous system relax.
Herbal teas can also help alleviate night grinding. Lavender, chamomile, and valerian will help you sleep and reduce the tension held in the body that causes clenching and grinding. Many teas at natural food stores contain these relaxing herbs. Boulder’s Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra with Valerian is a favorite.
Sleep Apnea/Snore Mouth Guards
In addition to the night mouthguards, there are other helpful mouthguards, such as sleep/snore guards. These generally require a sleep study to see if this mouthguard would benefit you.
One mouth guard that can be recommended for sleep apnea sufferers is the mandibular advancement device. This is one of the most widely used dental appliances for treating sleep apnea. It resembles a sports mouth guard and helps slightly force the lower jaw down and forward. This provides significant assistance in maintaining an open airway, thereby preventing breathing difficulties.
Athletic mouth guards
Of course, there is also the custom athletic mouth guard. We specialize in properly fitted athletic mouth guards because they are vital to protecting sensitive teeth during sports. There are several important reasons for your child to have a custom-fitted mouthguard for their unique mouth. Read our full post for more information on the benefits. https://www.studiozdental.com/family-dentistry/athletic-mouthguards/
We look forward to helping you prevent dental problems with any of these helpful mouthguards. Set up your appointment today to determine if one would be beneficial and to receive a custom fitting.
Contact us today. We look forward to helping you and your family.