Waking up and feeling pain in your head, jaw, or teeth? This could mean you are suffering from excessive teeth grinding known as bruxism, or a disorder. Our Portage, MI, dentist can help you find relief and prevent destructive damage to teeth with a custom night guard.
Here’s what you need to know about wearing this type of oral appliance.
How Will a Night Guard Help?
Teeth grinding and clenching, or , is common and interestingly enough, many sufferers don’t even know that they are doing it. During the day, it can be easier to stop the behavior but at night it’s harder to control because you’re asleep.
Symptoms of bruxism include:
- Waking up with dull headaches
- Sore jaw
- Pain in facial muscles
- Fatigue or irritability from lack of sleep
Night guards help ease the pain that can result from bruxism by putting a barrier between your top and bottom teeth. The cushioning that a night guard provides lightens the tension on your jaw when clenching and protects the enamel of your teeth.
Read More → How Do I Know When I Need a Night Guard?
If ignored, long-term grinding or clenching can lead to broken teeth, loss of tooth enamel, and even loss of teeth. Avoid any of these outcomes by requesting a courtesy of our Portage dental office.
Avoid Headaches and Prevent Teeth Wear
Our dentist may suggest that you use a night guard while you sleep if signs of wear are detected during an oral examination. To ensure your night guard fits you perfectly, an impression will be taken of your teeth and a custom device will be created for you.
Related Post → How You Can Prevent Teeth Grinding
The underlying cause of grinding or clenching at night can vary but oftentimes, the culprit is stress or anxiety. Other causes may be alcohol use, cigarettes, caffeine, sleep apnea, snoring, or an abnormal bite. Talk with our family dentist today about what you’re experiencing and we’ll explore how a night guard would benefit you.
Get Fitted for Your Night Guard
Suffer no longer from facial pain or nagging headaches and try sleeping with a comfortable night guard. Our , can custom create one for you to wear so your teeth and jaw can rest properly. Contact us online to request an appointment or call Courtside Dental today at (269) 327-1011.