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If you have bruxism — a condition where you grind your teeth at night while you sleep — a nightguard offers a viable solution. Bruxism can cause wear and tear on your teeth, jaw pain, and poor sleep. An evaluation by Dr. Richard Blackburn at Volterra Dental, Los Alamitos, California, can determine if a night guard can benefit you.
Should You Use a Night Guard?
After evaluating your situation, Dr. Blackburn may recommend using a nightguard to prevent teeth grinding as you sleep. Here are a few reasons to consider this nighttime dental treatment.
Prevents Teeth from Grinding — Nightguards keep top and bottom teeth from connecting while you sleep to eliminate problems with teeth grinding.
Reduces Risk of Tooth Damage — Excessive teeth grinding can wear down the enamel of your teeth, increasing your risk of decay and tooth sensitivity. It can also damage dental fillings, requiring that you replace them. In addition, if you grind hard enough, you run the risk of chipping or cracking your teeth. By putting a stop to grinding, nightguards protect your teeth from the harm that grinding can cause.
Reduces Jaw Pain — Teeth grinding can aggravate TMJ symptoms — a painful jaw disorder caused by dysfunctional muscles and joints in your jaw. Wearing a night guard can ease the stress that TMJ puts on your jaw to reduce jaw pain and discomfort.
Prevents Headaches — Night-time teeth grinding/clenching can produce headaches, jaw aches, and toothaches during the day, especially if grinding is a nightly occurrence. By reducing grinding at night, a nightguard can protect you from these problems during the day.
Reduces Snoring & Improves Quality of Sleep — Clenching your jaws at night can cause breathing problems, which can lead to snoring. Nightguards separate your jaws at night to increase air intake, improve breathing and decrease issues with snoring so that you can get quality sleep.
To learn more about the benefits of night guards, contact Dr. Richard Blackburn at Volterra Dental, Los Alamitos, California, at your earliest convenience. Call (562) 501-3188 to schedule an appointment.