If you have any type of health need in today’s world, the first place you’re likely to go for help is the Internet — which, as we all know, can be a blessing and a curse. Having so much information at your fingertips can quickly lead to overwhelm and confusion. How do you know what really works?
For those suffering from bruxism or nighttime teeth grinding, you may have stumbled across possible solutions ranging from lifestyle changes to medical procedures. But what about dental guards for bruxism?
What happens when you brux
First, let’s consider what actually happens when you’re bruxing.
When you grind your teeth at night, it’s an unconscious habit that can wreak havoc on your teeth, jaw, head, neck, and face without you even realizing what happens. People who clench their jaws or grind their teeth in their sleep find that they have increased tension and pain even after they wake up in the mornings. You may notice headaches, face pain, or even temporomandibular joint issues (also known as TMJ or TMD).
And your teeth suffer too: regular grinding can flatten your teeth and also lead to damaged enamel, cracks and chips, or even lost teeth. These effects can be both painful and expensive to address if left unchecked over time.
How dental guards help
Luckily, dental guards for bruxism can help combat all of these issues! First of all, regularly putting a barrier between your teeth at night can keep them healthy and strong. But dental guards don’t just keep your teeth from grinding: they also help keep your jaw relaxed during sleep.
And by choosing one that is designed to offer you a customizable fit and to be comfortable to wear, you can get all the benefits of stopping your teeth grinding — without trading one pain for another, as can be the case with some dental appliances.
Making lifestyle changes like promoting relaxation, decreasing stress, and avoiding alcoholic, caffeinated, and sugary food and beverages can also make a huge difference in addressing bruxism — but those are long-term solutions that can take some time to lead to improvements. Dental guards can start working as soon as tonight!