4 Reasons to Wear a Night Guard While You Sleep

Has your dentist suggested that you wear a custom mouth guard while you sleep? It’s likely because there’s some evidence that you are grinding or clenching your teeth during the night. A mouth guard is the most proven way to treat this condition, since most people don’t even know they are doing it. Even if you don’t have a bed partner that is urging you to stop your teeth grinding habit, there are consequences towards your dental health, body health and overall well-being that you need to be aware of.

Here are four good reasons to make the investment in a custom-fit night guard from your dentist:

Reduce Jaw Pain and Headaches

By wearing a night guard to stop teeth grinding, you’ll drastically reduce the excessive strain and pressure on your teeth and jaw muscles. This often leads to disruptive symptoms of TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), including morning headaches, jaw pain, facial pain, jaw popping and more.

Avoid Tooth Damage

A night guard provides a thin but necessary barrier between your upper and lower teeth, protecting them from the constant friction against each other. In turn, you’ll also be protecting yourself from the early tooth wear and enamel damage that can occur in patients who grind. Finally, it goes without saying that you’ll also be saving your wallet, as fillings, crowns and other restorative treatments for damaged teeth can be costly.

Prevent Snoring

Did you know that a night guard may also help you breathe better? By keeping your jaw in a more rested and proper position while you sleep, many patients also find that they snore less. This is a welcome advantage for your bed partner as well!

Improve Sleep

If you are not snoring, grinding or clenching, you are getting a better night’s rest. A night guard can effectively relax the muscles of your jaw and mouth so that your body can do what it is meant to do during the night – rest and rejuvenate. The quality of your sleep impacts your overall health and quality of life!

Don’t underestimate the dangers of nighttime teeth grinding. Invest in the health of your smile and quality of your sleep by getting a custom night guard from Dr. Mitzi Morris. We offer the most proven oral appliances to reduce or eliminate jaw pain and tooth pain caused by bruxism.