If you don’t have severe headaches or pain in your jaws and have not had any problems with them, you may have bruxism. Bruxism can be described as a condition that causes you to grind, clench, and gnash your teeth. If you grind your teeth while awake, this is called awake bruxism. While sleep bruxism applies to patients who grind their teeth or clench in their sleep, Stress is the leading cause of bruxism. Healthline states that the Covid-19 epidemic has increased stress levels and put people at greater risk of financial disaster. Teeth grinding and clenching are now more common in the United States and Israel than they were in Poland.
According to studies in Israel and Poland, night teeth clenching increased from 10% to 36% during the pandemic. Most often, it occurs at night and you are not conscious. This makes headaches difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for bruxism. Wearing a night guard is a good way to get rid of bruxism.
What is a night guard?
A night guard, a piece of plastic that looks similar to a retainer, is either hard or flexible. It covers the biting surface and can be worn on either your bottom or top teeth. A night guard can be customized to suit the needs of each patient because they have different tooth structures. There are many names for it. Dentists refer to it as the mouthguard, occlusal, bite splint and dental guard.
It is important to have the right night guard
Prevent Plaque Development
Despite their similar names you shouldn’t confuse a sports guard with the one for teeth grinding and clenching. A sports mouth guard can do more harm that good. It protects your teeth and gums from injury by covering them. You can catch bacteria on your gum’s surface at night if you wear it at night.
Saliva is able to neutralize acids which can cause cavities. It also washes away food particles and prevents plaque formation. It is best to consult an orthodontist before you purchase a night guard. This will ensure that your teeth are not damaged. You should also be aware that many night guards are designed to allow saliva to get to your teeth. According to the state of your teeth, a dentist will recommend the correct design.
Keep Your Bite from Being Changed
Because it protects the surfaces from grinding against one another, a night guard is often fitted to your teeth and bite. Because sports mouthguards can be softened and made from thicker rubbery materials, they will not fit your bite. The brain will interpret softer material as food and you may be able to chew it while you sleep. This could cause muscle discomfort or premature wear of the soft material. You may notice a shift in your bite if you use a sports mouthguard at nights. Your bite will change after a while.
Nightguards: Types
American Sleep Association has a classification system for night guards that is based on the material they are made of:
Hard Nightguards
These acrylic trays are used to treat TMJ problems and severe cases of teeth grinding or clenching. The bite changes as the muscles relax. This is due to the lower jaw being in a healthy centric position. Your jaw and muscles will relax if you adjust the guard’s bite. Hard night guards are made of a tough material so they are the most durable.
Nightguards could also be classified as:
Over-the-counter
Over-the-counter dayguards can be purchased at drug stores. They come in one size that fits all. There is also the option to use boil-and-bite night guards. These should be softened with hot water for a better fit. Because they are not made for your specific teeth shape, you may notice a shift in your bite if you continue to use such devices.
Custom-made
These are custom-made to fit your individual needs and are created using the impression of your tooth. Nightguards made by dentists are custom-made for you using the best materials and techniques. These will last many years if they are maintained properly and adjusted as needed.
You need to consider when choosing between a lower and a higher night guard
Nightguards can be worn on the top or bottom of your teeth. This may leave you wondering which one is best for you to prevent grinding. These are some of the things you need to consider when making this choice:
Comfort
It is unlikely that a night guard that is too uncomfortable will go in your mouth. It is likely that you will spend the night wearing the night guard in your mouth. Comfort should be your top priority. You should choose a lower mouthguard if you are prone to grinding your teeth subconsciously. It is more discreet and won’t draw attention. You may also find a lower night guard suitable if your gag reflex is sensitive.
The upper night guard can be more intrusive as it is typically larger and bulkier than its lower counterpart.
Teeth condition
When choosing the perfect night guard, consider your dental health. Because a night guard is custom-made from your teeth impression, it’s important to choose a set that doesn’t have any missing or crooked. You will get a better fit.
Here are Five Reasons Why You Need a Nightguard
Prevent tooth damage
Teeth grinding is a process that occurs when you’re not in control. As a result, your enamel will be less strong. Too much sensitivity is caused by enamel erosion. This can lead to your mouth being unable to tolerate hot or cold foods and beverages. Your teeth will also be more susceptible to decay if there is no enamel protecting them. If the decay progresses into the enamel, it is possible to get infections.
Teeth grinding can cause tooth damage by breaking a tooth or causing fillings to wear out. While the teeth’s surface can withstand the pressure of chewing and biting, grinding or clenching puts additional strain on them. The result is tooth cracks or fractures. Tooth fractures can cause severe pain and you may need to visit the dentists. Although a filling can be done by the dentist, it is not always possible to save your teeth. In some cases, more extensive treatment may be required such as root canals and crowns. Implants or bridges can fix tooth decay.
Prevents Temporomandibular and Joint Disorder
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the connection between the jaw and skull. They affect the muscles that you use to chew. You can cause misalignment by clenching your teeth while you sleep. When misaligned, you develop TMJ dysfunction. This disorder can lead to difficulty chewing, pain around your ears and even headaches. Disk displacement can also occur if you inflict damage to the articular disc. You may experience your jaw locking or closing unexpectedly. This could lead to a visit to the ER. Because it relieves tension that you may cause to the muscles, a night guard helps prevent this disorder from developing.
Avoid Chronic Headaches
TMJ dysfunction can manifest itself as migraines, so chronic neck aches and headaches are often the first signs of possible bruxism. Headaches are caused by tight muscles in the neck and jaw. You don’t have to rush to diagnose yourself as having bruxism. There are ways you can verify that your headaches are caused by teeth grinding. Look at the surface and see if they have become flattened. This is a sign that your teeth are grinding in your sleep. Another way to check for recession of gum or bone is to clench. Nightguards are custom-made to eliminate headaches.
Save Money
It is expensive to buy a night guard that fits all, but it is not recommended. A custom-made dental night guard for you can set you back around EUR 800. This can be quite expensive for many bruxism patients. But, this should not stop you from purchasing a night guard. If you compare the cost for a night guard to the cost of restorative dental care, the latter is more affordable. Restorative dentistry will solve your dental problems once the teeth are worn down and fractured. Dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, and the replacement of missing teeth with implants can be costly.