Night Mouth Guards
Grinding the teeth at night is a condition known as bruxism and if left untreated may lead to a myriad of dental problems and pain in the temporomandibular joint area of the jaw, commonly abbreviated TMJ. Some people with severe TMJ dysfunction have trouble opening and closing their jaw, while others experience degrees of discomfort from mild to very painful in their jaw and face. TMJ pain can even lead to referred pain in other areas of the body like the head, neck and shoulders. Night mouth guards can go a long way towards preventing serious problems in those who grind their teeth.
When shopping around for a night guard for teeth, there are several options available to you. If your bruxism isn't severe enough to cause pain, you may find relief with a store bought guard. While some of these are made to fit using the small, medium and large sizing designation the majority are custom fit, and commonly referred to as boil and bite mouth guards. You boil the guard in water for a few seconds then place it in your mouth and bite down gently while the material is still pliable. As the guard cools it will form a lasting impression of your teeth for the right fit.
If you are at the point that your grinding is causing you problems such as pain or dental erosion it is imperative you go to your dentist for an evaluation. First, he or she will thoroughly check your teeth and your jaw for evidence of grinding. They will also take an X-ray to show any TMJ issues that may not be evident during an initial exam. From there they will recommend a custom mouth guard which they can make by taking an impression of your teeth. Usually your guard is not made on the same day, you will be called to pick it up. If your dentist cannot treat your TMJ they may refer you to a specialist who handles this medical condition.
Night mouth guards can be a bit uncomfortable until you get used to them. While not painful to wear, they are quite cumbersome and make speaking difficult so put them in right before you're ready to go to sleep. The first few nights, or even weeks you may experience disjointed sleep as you wake up and realize there is something strange in your mouth. However after a period of adjustment you will probably be able to wear your guard overnight with little or no discomfort or disruption in sleep.
Mouth Guards Protect Smiles!
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