Do you grind your teeth when you sleep? Do your jaw muscles ache when you wake up in the morning? If so, it’s time to take a look at whether or not you should be wearing a night guard. In this post, we’ll talk about how night guards work and who they’re for – which may include people who don’t even know they have a problem with their teeth grinding!
WHAT IS A NIGHT GUARD?
A night guard is a protective mouth appliance that you wear while sleeping. The purpose of the night guard is to protect your teeth from damage due to tooth grinding or clenching during sleep, which can lead to headaches and jaw pain in the morning.
The two different types of night guards are:
– Custom-made – This type of night guard is specifically fitted for you at your dentist’s office. Usually made with either plastic or acrylic, this type of night guard is the most effective when it comes to protecting your teeth from damage due to clenching and grinding during sleep.
– Stock – This type of night guard is one that has already been mass-produced in a dental lab, so no one specific night guard will fit your teeth. However, stock night guards are usually less expensive and still provide the same protection as custom-made ones.
WHY SHOULD I WEAR ONE?
Grinding and clenching your teeth during sleep is very common, especially for people who suffer from stress or anxiety. However, this habit can lead to problems later on in life if it’s not stopped.
A night guard will protect you against the damage that comes with grinding and clenching while sleeping – which includes broken teeth, tooth wear due to the enamel being worn away, jaw pain in the morning, and even headaches.
Although you may not experience any of these problems right now, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your teeth! If you are suffering from tooth grinding or clenching during sleep or if you already have damaged teeth due to this behavior, it is best to speak with your dentist or orthodontist about whether or not you should be wearing a night guard.
We hope that you have found this blog post helpful in your decision-making process. If you are still unsure about whether or not to wear a nightguard, please visit us at our practice, and we can answer any of your questions. We would love to hear from you!