Many people are not aware that they have the habit of clenching or grinding their teeth. Bruxism is basically a condition that mainly occurs at night when a person is asleep.
If a person continues to grind his or her teeth, the teeth will eventually be damaged, and in addition, this may lead to pain in the jaw and headaches. One very simple and convenient way to help prevent such damage is a mouth guard.
A mouth guard is a piece of protective equipment for the teeth, which you wear on them, and it helps to reduce the effects of ugly grinding and clenching. On a regular basis dentists recommend it as a way of protecting teeth and promoting good oral health.
Here in this article, it is aimed at providing a clear picture of a mouth guard, how it works, and the ways it helps to protect the teeth from the wear and tear caused by grinding.
What Is a Mouth Guard?
A mouth guard is essentially a dental piece made of a soft plastic or rubber material that a person wears inside the mouth. It is essentially a type of dental appliance that is fitted tightly over the teeth. It keeps the upper and lower teeth apart by means of a protective layer. The layer of protection prevents the teeth from hitting each other directly when you grind or clench them.
There are various uses of mouth guards. The most typical ones are to keep the teeth safe during sports, to stop the habit of teeth grinding, and to help with certain sleep disorders.
The ones who in the night, during sleep or rest, unconsciously grind their teeth are, as a rule, recommended by the dentist to wear a night mouth guard. A night mouth guard is mainly there to take the strain off the teeth and jaw that results from clenching. It is a device that you wear while sleeping.
Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?
There could be a variety of factors that lead to teeth grinding. For instance, some individuals may clench their teeth as a reaction to stress, anxiety, or having trouble sleeping. There are also cases when one might compensate for crooked teeth or develop jaw problems as a result of the act.
The truth is that most people have no clue about their habit of teeth grinding simply because it usually takes place when one is asleep. Notwithstanding, a few telltale symptoms include:
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Jaw pain or stiffness upon waking up
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Headaches upon waking up
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Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth
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Increased tooth sensitivity
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Jaw clicking sounds
If left untreated, this habit can cause a lot of serious dental problems.
How Teeth Grinding Damages Your Teeth
It is true that our teeth are quite strong but they are not designed to endure the constant pressure from grinding. It can be explained that dental enamel, which is the tooth’s protective outer layer, is so tightly pressed against itself every time there is grinding.
Such a situation can cause:
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Teeth become worn out or flattened.
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Teeth get cracks or chips
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Dental fillings or crowns get damaged
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Sensitivity in teeth
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Problems with jaw joint (TMJ disorders)
Excessive grinding, if not treated, in the worst-case scenario, can result in fractures or even loss of teeth.
How a Mouth Guard Protects Your Teeth
A mouth guard is a device that can protect your teeth in various ways. It acts as a barrier that absorbs the shock of the grinding force, which is the main cause of the damage.
1. Makes a Protective Barrier
The primary role of a mouthguard is to keep the upper and lower teeth apart. Hence, it stops the teeth from scrapping each other and thus, decreases the wearing down of the enamel.
Also, by preventing contact of one tooth with another, a mouth guard becomes a protective shield that guards them against cracks, chips, and other types of damage.
2. Absorbs Grinding Pressure
Grinding teeth generates significant pressure on the teeth and jaw. A mouth guard essentially acts as a shock absorber for this pressure and it is also able to distribute the pressure more evenly across the teeth.
This lessens the load on individual teeth and thus prevents them from being worn out excessively. In the long run, it contributes to the preservation of the natural form and firmness of the teeth.
3. Reduces Jaw Pain and Muscle Tension
Grinding teeth and clenching cause the jaw muscles to be tense continuously for quite a long time. As a result, one may suffer pain in the jaw, headache, and discomfort in the face.
Because a mouth guard keeps the teeth slightly apart, it helps the jaw muscles relax. In this way, it reduces muscle pain and enables the jaw to get a rest during sleep.
4. Keeps Dental Work Safe
A lot of people have dental work such as crowns, bridges, fillings, or veneers. Teeth grinding can be very damaging to these dental treatments and can cause them to break or come off.
A mouth guard is like a protective shield to the teeth. It stops the dental work from receiving too much force and thus, it extends their lifespan.
5. Improves Sleep Quality
Grinding one’s teeth can be a sleep disruptor and cause one to be uncomfortable during the night. Besides, some individuals focus so much on the pressure in the jaw that they end up waking up.
By wearing a mouth guard, one will be less likely to grind their teeth and to contract the jaw muscles. So, it is common for people to sleep better and after waking up the pain is diminished.
Types of Mouth Guards
There are three primary types of mouth guards:
Stock Mouth Guards: These are pre, made guards that are available at stores. They are cheap but might not fit your mouth perfectly.
Boil and Bite Mouth Guards: These mouth guards are softened in hot water, then shaped directly against your teeth. They provide a fit superior to stock guards.
Custom Mouth Guards: Dentists create these from the impressions of your teeth. Custom mouth guards provide the best fit, comfort, and protection.
Dental professionals usually suggest custom guards if you are a regular grinder of your teeth.
When Should You Visit The Dentist?
If you experience jaw pain, your teeth are wearing out, or you suffer from headaches all the time, you should get a dental check-up without delay. If the dental problem is detected in time, you will be spared from extensive damage.
Conclusion
Bruxism is a widely prevalent problem that, if left untreated, may cause very serious damage to your mouth. Over time, it will mean that the enamel on your teeth will be gone; additionally, it may lead to the fracturing of your teeth and the development of jaw pain.
Using protective mouth guards is a very simple and, at the same time, highly efficient way of saving your teeth. They work as a cushion and thus provide separation of the upper and lower teeth.
They absorb the force involved in grinding, reduce the tension in the muscles of the jaw, and therefore, no more damage is caused to the natural teeth or the dental work.
If you are still doubtful whether you grind your teeth during the night or not, the best thing you can do is get a professional diagnosis at a dental clinic. A dentist at a dental clinic like Red House Dental, for instance, will definitely be able to guide you in finding the right treatment for yourself as well as in securing your smile for the future.
