How To Know If You Need A Night Guard For Your Teeth

Deciding whether you need a mouthguard for your teeth comes down to the common signs and symptoms that suggest you should. For starters, there are many reasons mouthguards can be helpful for those struggling with mouth pain during sleep. If you struggle with anxiety and tend to clench your jaw during your sleep, this is one reason a mouthguard could be helpful.

The durability of night mouthguards protects your mouth and teeth against clenching and grinding, which keeps your muscles more relaxed and softens the bite on the jaw. Night mouthguards are firmer than those used for sports because softer materials signal to the brain that chewing should occur. For these reasons, firmer materials are used to cover the surfaces where grinding takes place so that you can sleep without grinding as frequently.

If you find that your jaw tightens or becomes partially stuck when you open your mouth, this could suggest Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), which is another reason to wear a mouthguard throughout the night. Likewise, if you grind your teeth during sleep, a mouthguard can prevent potential damages caused by this. For more information on whether you need a night guard for teeth and pain management, continue on.

What Do Night Guards For Teeth Accomplish?

A night guard can keep teeth protected against the consequences of frequent teeth clenching during sleep. A night guard for teeth acts as a barrier, preventing the likelihood of teeth chipping or the wearing down of teeth due to clenching and similar mouth movements during the night. In some cases, teeth clenching leads to migraines and subsequent effects of teeth grinding and jaw pain.

If you are struggling with frequent headaches but can’t pinpoint the root cause, consider using a night guard for teeth to see if that helps. Those with bruxism may be particularly prone to headaches, jaw lock, and other symptoms associated with clenching and teeth gnashing. Bruxism is often the result of stress.

What Do Night Guards Look Like?

Most nightguards are similar in appearance to retainers. They are plastic items that expand over the surfaces where biting takes place. You can wear your night guard for teeth on the top or the bottom teeth.

Your specific teeth patterns may require a custom-made night guard for teeth, whereby a mold is fitted to your teeth. A generic mouthguard from the pharmacy works just fine for others. There are many different mouthguards, so it’s best to try out different options before settling on the mouthguard that is best for you.

If you struggle with TMJ or have severe teeth clenching, you might need a night guard for teeth made from acrylic material. For more personalized options, look for boil-and-bite guards or custom-made guards.

Wear A Night Guard And Take Care Of Your Teeth

Preventing damage to your teeth and subsequent pain to your jaw is essential to preserve good health. If you are struggling with these symptoms, consider wearing a night guard to take care of your teeth while sleeping.