Dental Education

What Is Bruxism, and How Can a Nightguard Help?

Have you ever woken up with a sore jaw, a headache, or teeth that just don’t feel right? You might be dealing with bruxism, a condition where you unconsciously clench or grind your teeth. Nighttime bruxism happens involuntarily, making it harder to notice. It’s more common than you think and can affect anyone, whether due to stress, sleep disorders, or even misaligned teeth.

Bruxism can cause many issues over time. It can damage your teeth causing chips, cracks and worn down enamel, which in turn can lead to sensitivity. Jaw pain, or tightness and soreness in the jaw muscles, is a common symptom. Morning headaches are a common sign of nighttime bruxism. You may experience issues with your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) that connects your jaw to your head. Lastly, bruxism causes sleep disturbances which can affect your sleep quality. So what can be done once you find out you have bruxism? There's a simple and effective solution: wearing a nightguard.

A nightguard is a clear custom made tray that you wear at night while you sleep. You can get an upper or lower nightguard. It acts as a cushion for your teeth reducing pressure from grinding and clenching by preventing direct contact between your upper and lower teeth. This can reduce wear and tear on your teeth saving you from expensive dental repairs. It can help relax your jaw muscles and alleviate pain. You may find that you sleep more soundly by reducing jaw tension.

There are two main options when getting a nightguard. You can visit your dentist office and have impressions made. These impressions are used to make a custom tray. They are made with durable materials that last along time. They are pricier but very effective and comfortable. There are companies that will make a nightguard without you having to leave your home. The company will send you impression material with trays. After the impression is taken, you send it back to the company. Your impressions are analyzed and your trays are made then sent to you. All without leaving the comfort of your home. The trays are custom made just like the ones that you would get from your dentist. A few companies that provide at-home service are Encore (Amazon), Remi (Amazon), JS Dental Lab (Amazon). The second option would be to get over the counter nightguard. They may not fit as well because they are not custom made but they are a more affordable option.

You can prevent bruxism by managing stress by practicing relaxing techniques. You can improve your sleep quality by sticking to a consistent sleep schedule creating a calming bedtime routine. Limit stimulants before bed such as caffeine and avoid alcohol as they can make grinding worse. Visit your dentist regularly. By keeping up with your check-ups your dentist can catch signs of wear and recommend treatment.

Bruxism is common but it does not have to cause you pain and make your life unbearable. If you have the above symptoms and suspect that you grind your teeth at night or clench them during the day, talk to your dentist to find the right option for you!

This blog has transformed my understanding of dental hygiene! The tips on products and services are incredibly helpful. Highly recommend for anyone seeking dental education.

Sarah Lee

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