Introduction
According to Iqaluit Dental Clinic, most people associate mouth guards with athletes who participate in high-intensity sports like football, boxing, basketball and more. However, many people have been waking up to the benefits of dental night guards in recent years. Let’s check out how they can protect your teeth.
The Explanation
1. Bruxism –
People usually opt for night guards when they are diagnosed with bruxism. Everyone has ground their teeth at some point. However, some people do it too often, mostly at night and that hurts their teeth and causes headaches and jaw pain in the morning. Most people aren’t even aware of this condition till a major issue pops up.
The best way to avoid that clenching force on your jaw and prevent grinding your teeth is to wear a night guard while sleeping. You can choose anything from an over-the-counter night guard to a custom option that’s made specifically for your mouth structure.
2. Night guards protect the enamel layer –
The most obvious benefit of night guards is that they protect the enamel layer on your teeth. Depending on the level of grinding, from mild to heavy, you may be recommended a night guard with a soft interior and a hard exterior layer. The additional layer between the opposite jaws prevents you from grinding your teeth and destroying the enamel layer.
The enamel layer is very important since it shields the more vulnerable parts of your teeth. When it is eroded and degraded regularly due to teeth grinding, it can expose the pulp containing the nerves and blood vessels of your teeth. This doesn’t just affect the strength and overall health of your teeth but causes immense pain and increases tooth sensitivity. Moreover, the enamel is a layer that can’t be regenerated. The best way to avoid that is to use night guards while sleeping.
3. Other benefits of night guards –
Apart from protecting your teeth, dental night guards can also prevent Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and provide significant relief from sleep apnea. With a night guard, the tension on the temporomandibular joint is reduced and that prevents headaches, difficulty in chewing and more serious issues like disk displacement. For patients with sleep apnea, night guards can shift the bite, prevent your teeth from hitting each other and promote regular breathing during sleep.
4. Different types of night guards –
If you just need to avoid bruxism and other problems related to teeth grinding, a regular over-the-counter night guard would serve the purpose. These one-size-fits-all night guards usually cost around $20 to $30. On the other hand, if you need to relieve sleep apnea and shift your bite, you’ll need to get a custom-made dental night guard that may put you back up to $1000.
Conclusion
Iqaluit Dental Clinic suggests that you try out dental night guards. They won’t just protect your teeth but also cushion your jaws to prevent facial muscle aches in the morning. If you suffer from bruxism and other such issues, a night guard is going to be very helpful in preventing headaches and tooth sensitivity.