Do I Really Need a Nightguard if I Grind My Teeth in My Sleep?

Have you been waking up with a sore jaw or morning headaches? If so, you may be grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Left unaddressed, chronic bruxism can lead to serious damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw joints and can impact your overall health. At Buckingham Family Dental, we offer custom night guards to safeguard your smile and your quality of life.

What Is Bruxism and What Are Its Impacts?

Bruxism is a chronic condition characterized by teeth grinding or clenching that most often occurs while you sleep. Many people dealing with this condition don’t realize it unless alerted by a partner or family member. The main causes of bruxism are stress, anxiety, a misaligned bite, sleep apnea, and certain medications.

The pressure exerted on your teeth and jaw from the constant grinding and clenching is far more than that of chewing. Over time, the repeated strain can put significant stress on your teeth, jaw joints, and surrounding muscles, leading to complications, including the following:

• Tooth Wear or Fracture: The forces of constant grinding and clenching can lead to severely worn, chipped, or cracked teeth, which may require restorations with dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Ongoing grinding can wear down the enamel layer of your teeth, exposing the underlying dentin, leading to increased sensitivity to temperature and pressure.
• Jaw Pain: Grinding and clenching can strain the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), leading to pain, sensitivity, and limited jaw movement.
• Changes in Your Bite (Occlusion): Chronic grinding can gradually alter the shape and height of your teeth, which, over time, can affect how your teeth come together and may lead to bite misalignment.
• Damage to Restorations: The excessive grinding forces can damage your dental restorations, such as veneers, crowns, or dental implants.
• Gum Recession: The pressure from teeth grinding and clenching can cause gum recession, exposing your tooth roots and increasing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
• Headaches and Facial Pain: The constant grinding and clenching pressure can lead to facial pain and frequent morning headaches.
• Sleep Disruptions and Daytime Fatigue: Bruxism is often linked to sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which can lead to sleep interruptions and daytime fatigue.

What Is a Night Guard and How Does It Help? 

A custom night guard is an oral appliance that’s worn during sleep, offering an effective and straightforward solution for managing the symptoms of bruxism. The protective mouthguard creates a barrier between the upper and lower arches of teeth, helping absorb and redistribute the forces of constant grinding and clenching. While a night guard will not stop your grinding and clenching, it helps protect your teeth and jaws from its harmful effects.

Why Choose a Custom Night Guard?

Not all night guards provide the same level of protection. There are over-the-counter options that may seem inexpensive and convenient, but they are mass produced from generic molds, resulting in a poor fit and inadequate protection. In fact, some of these store-bought options can worsen jaw discomfort and damage for some patients.

At Buckingham Family Dental, we create custom night guards from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a snug, comfortable fit and maximum protection for your smile.

Night Guards Near Me in Garland, TX

If you have symptoms of bruxism or if you have been told that you grind and clench your teeth in your sleep, our team at Buckingham Family Dental is here to help. We may recommend a custom night guard to safeguard your smile and enhance your quality of life. We invite you to call 469-649-1017 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!