Even if you snore or struggle with sleep apnea, the problem could be that you grind your teeth in your sleep. Luckily, you can stop that habit with a night guard.
If you have trouble sleeping, you’ve probably searched high and low for an answer. Eating too close to bedtime? Too much caffeine? Sleep apnea? Maybe you just need a night guard! Here are some of the reasons people decide to try this route.
What Does It Do?
You might know what a mouth guard does for anyone who plays contact sports. Well, a night guard is similar, but you only have to wear it when you sleep. It’s also called a bruxism appliance. This appliance is clear and you put it on before bed so that your two sets of teeth can’t touch each other during the night. They are also made specifically to match the contours of your mouth, too. That way, they aren’t uncomfortable to wear.
Stop Headaches
Grinding your teeth might be one of the reasons you suffer from chronic headaches. Tension and stress both play a play, but tension headaches are no joke. Luckily, with a night guard, you can start to reduce the number of headaches you have to deal with on a daily basis. Jaw pressure is no fun, and it could indicate other health conditions.
Reduce TMJ
One such condition is TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. The joints and muscles that connect your jaw and skull and the ones that help you chew are the main body parts affected. Don’t let TMJ get in the way of your enjoying your favorite foods! A night guard can help you deal with this condition.
Save Your Teeth
Starting to wear a night guard can also help save your teeth. Even if your teeth are still in relatively good condition right now, you don’t want them to wear away prematurely. Your teeth will start changing color, you’ll have more cavities, and they might start to crack, which means you’ll need a crown.
Save the Crown
Even after you get a crown put on your teeth, that’s not always the end of your problems. You shouldn’t need to worry about your crown, but you have to take care of it. Teeth, including crowns, are meant for chewing and biting, but you’re not supposed to grind them.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.