Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can be caused by stress, anxiety, or even sleeping on your side.
If left unattended, teeth grinding can result in damage to your teeth and gums, as well as cause jaw discomfort and headaches during the day.
People who suffer from this condition can find some reprieve in wearing a custom night guard, which you can find when you visit the site.
A custom teeth night guard is a custom-made dental appliance that is worn at night to protect your teeth and help reduce the symptoms associated with teeth grinding.
Here are 4 reasons why you should wear a custom night guard for teeth grinding:
1. Prevents Damage to Teeth
Grinding your teeth at night can damage the enamel on your teeth. The enamel is the protective layer that covers the outside of your teeth and protects them from bacteria and acid attacks.
When you grind your teeth, the pressure causes tiny cracks in this hard layer of enamel, which can lead to decay and cavities. Wearing a custom night guard will help protect against this damage by absorbing some pressure from grinding as you sleep.
2. To Prevent Headaches
If you grind your teeth at night, chances are you’ve noticed how sore your jaw gets in the morning — especially if it’s been happening for years on end. This can cause serious headaches over time because it puts pressure on the TMJ joints and muscles in the area that control chewing and swallowing.
The constant movement can also irritate nerves in your face, which leads to pain shooting up through your head when you try to open your mouth wide enough to eat breakfast.
3. To Prevent Gum Disease
One of the most important reasons why you should wear a custom night guard for teeth grinding is to prevent gum disease.
If you don’t wear a night guard, the constant pressure applied on the teeth during sleep can lead to gum recession or even tooth fracture and, ultimately, tooth loss.
4. To Improve Overall Health
Suffering from sleep bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, can lead to headaches, jaw pain, ear pain, tooth wear, and fractures. Grinding your teeth while you sleep can also cause problems with your bite alignment and lead to TMJ disorders.
A custom-made night guard is the best way to prevent these issues because it provides an extra layer of protection against your teeth grinding against each other at night.
In Conclusion
Custom-fit night guards are a great way to treat teeth grinding and jaw clenching. They work by providing a barrier between your upper and lower jaws, helping you stop grinding your teeth at night.
Note that a custom-fit guard is more effective than over-the-counter varieties because it is made from impressions of your teeth, which means it will fit perfectly against the biting surfaces of your upper and lower jaws. Which not only makes them more comfortable but also longer lasting.