Do Night Guards Work?
Bruxism is a common condition characterized by clenching or grinding the teeth, usually at night in one's sleep. If you wake up with pain in your jaw or teeth, you might be suffering from bruxism, which can be triggered by stress or anxiety and can also be caused by underlying medical issues like sleep apnea. While this pain or discomfort may not be significant, the damage caused by bruxism can affect the strength, shape, and size of the teeth and potentially interfere with day-to-day functions like chewing. Night guards confer multiple benefits for people with bruxism, including reduced jaw and tooth pain, fewer headaches, better sleep quality, and even less snoring. While over-the-counter night guards can be purchased at your local drug store, custom-fitted night guards designed by a dentist and crafted in a dental lab are more universally comfortable and effective and should be considered a worthy investment in long-term comfort and oral health.
How Do Night Guards Work?
People most often use night guards to offset the symptoms of bruxism, which include pain in the jaws and teeth. A night guard custom-molded to the patient's teeth cushions the teeth and jaws, preventing them from clenching or grinding and relieving much of the pressure these actions cause. Because many people with bruxism grind or clench while sleeping, wearing a night guard can help improve sleep patterns by reducing pain and minimizing tension in the jaw, allowing complete relaxation that supports effective sleep. Additionally, people may not realize this, but headaches and radiating pain elsewhere in the face and neck can be caused by clenching or grinding, and using a night guard helps reduce this pain and makes headaches and neck pain a thing of the past. Night guards can also help reduce snoring by increasing airflow between the upper and lower jaws, as they inherently create a small passage between the jaws as they support the teeth. When bruxism is accompanied by sleep apnea, however, a night guard isn't recommended, as the underlying issue of apnea will remain even if the bruxism stops. In these cases, devices that assist with breathing and are used to manage sleep apnea can serve a similar function to a night guard while also helping to treat the underlying condition. While a custom-crafted night guard may cost more than an over-the-counter one, their protective function can help drastically reduce the amount you might spend on dental treatments and restorations if bruxism is allowed to continue with no intervention. If you're using an over-the-counter night guard, consider consulting your dentist about a custom one for more comprehensive and effective results. If you believe you have bruxism and aren't currently using a night guard or under a dentist's care, see a dentist soon for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. While the symptoms might not seem like a big deal right now, the damage this condition can cause is worthy of prompt attention and should be prevented whenever possible.
How Can I Ensure that My Night Guard is Working?
The effectiveness of a night guard depends on how consistently it is used, how precisely it's fitted, and how it's maintained. Using a custom-fitted night guard nightly is the best approach for long-term results, and keeping the night guard clean is crucial to its efficacy and protective nature. Night guards should be rinsed regularly and cleaned after each use, following the cleaning instructions outlined by a dentist. Regular dental checkups allow dentists to ensure the continued fit and efficacy of the night guard and to propose alternate or additional treatment plans when needed. With these measures, a night guard can be a highly effective method for treating bruxism and relieving its painful, damaging symptoms over the long term.