Niteguards
Do You Need To Wear a Niteguard?
Do you wake up experiencing a sore jaw and a dull headache? If you do experience this frequently, you might want to consult your dentist as you may be suffering from bruxism. Bruxism commonly known as teeth grinding is a condition that causes patients to grind their teeth while they’re asleep. It affects up to 15 percent of adults in the US.
One of the ways to treat this condition is to wear dental niteguards. Dental niteguards are an appliance that you can wear at night while you’re sleeping.
Although you can purchase an over the counter niteguard at a local pharmacy, it’s still ideal that you obtain one from your dentist. The reason being, you’ll have a customized version, which is more effective.
Niteguards at Aloha Dental are superior to the niteguard you can get at a local pharmacy. They’re made in a special laboratory from the impression of your own mouth.
Although they’re more expensive than an over-the-counter niteguard, they’re far more comfortable to wear and most durable. Custom made dental niteguards are also most effective.
The primary function of niteguards is to prevent your teeth from grinding together. Although they won’t treat bruxism, they can prevent chipping and cracking of your teeth.
What conditions can dental niteguards treat?
Chronic headaches could be caused by teeth grinding. If you wake up every morning with a headache, then you might be suffering from bruxism. While you’re grinding unconsciously at night, the pressure on your jaw could cause headaches.
Another reason your dentist would recommend niteguards is to treat your temporal mandibular joint (TMJ). Bruxism disorder affects your jaw muscles used in chewing.
It also affects the joints that connect your skull and jaw. TMJ issues have various causes, but one of them is bruxism. The pressure caused by clenching or grinding could negatively affect mouth and jaw structures. Wearing niteguards to treat TMJ could alleviate the symptoms.
The enamel in your teeth can also wear down due to severe or moderate bruxism. You may not notice the signs but your dentist can. That’s why he may recommend the use of this device. They can help in preventing further wear down of your enamel, which causes your teeth to be more prone to cavities and fractures.
Bruxism can also cause tooth pain, when you have tooth pain without dental cavities; then it’s a good chance that it’s the result of bruxism. The use of niteguards can alleviate the symptoms of tooth pain caused by bruxism.
Aside from teeth grinding causing pain, it also leads to a long-term dental health issue.
Niteguards could incur a more substantial cost when purchased in a dental office but the cost would depend on your overall dental condition.
At Aloha Dental, we customize dental night guard. After taking an impression of your teeth, we send it to the dental laboratory where the entire fabrication happens. Our niteguards utilize professional dental materials that can ensure longevity.
You can also order niteguards online. But the quality isn’t the same as the quality you get if you chose to obtain them from your dentists.
Don’t just wear any niteguards for your bruxism. Make sure that you consult your dentist. Aloha Dental offers various treatment options, including treatments for bruxism.
Call us today to schedule an initial consultation with one of our dentists.