There are cause-and-effect issues that impact the condition of your teeth and your general health.
For example, you could awaken with headaches or jaw pain or you might notice that your teeth are weakening and appear worn.
The solution for those conditions could be an occlusal guard commonly known as a night guard.
What is a dental occlusal (night) guard?
An occlusal guard is a custom-designed dental appliance that is most often worn during sleep (thus being called a night guard).
The appliance is made of safe, durable plastic or resin. It's custom-made to fit over your upper or lower teeth.
A night guard creates a barrier between the surfaces of your upper and lower teeth.
The appliance's main function is to prevent your teeth from grinding against each other - a common issue during sleep.
The oral health conditions that require the use of a night guard
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Clenching or grinding your teeth during sleep can potentially damage your teeth.
You could experience a variety of dental issues such as:
- Worn or damaged tooth enamel
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
A night guard provides cushioning against the impact of any grinding or clenching you do during sleep. The oral appliance helps reduce the risk of tooth damage and the discomfort that can result from overnight clenching.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
This condition can cause pain and the dysfunctional movement of your jaw joint and its surrounding muscles.
A night guard helps alleviate your TMJ-related symptoms. It promotes proper, healthy jaw alignment and reduces the strain placed on your jaw joints and connected tendons.
Tooth misalignment
Misaligned teeth can cause you to experience an uneven bite and unnecessary wear on your teeth.
A night guard redistributes your bite making it more even and aligned.
- Your teeth are protected from premature wear and damage.
- Your risk of complications such as chipped or fractured teeth is reduced.
What are the benefits of wearing a night guard consistently?
Your tooth enamel is protected
The pressure exerted when grinding or clenching your teeth can lead to the erosion of your tooth enamel.
Wearing a night guard during sleep creates a protective barrier that absorbs the force applied when your grind or clench your teeth.
You could experience less jaw pain
A night guard helps your jaw muscles relax when you sleep. You could wake up with a substantially less jaw pain, jaw joint stiffness, and the tension that's common with TMJ disorder.
Your headache potential could be reduced
Use of a night guard reduces the tension-causing effects of teeth grinding and clenching. Thus your tension headaches and migraine issues can be diminished with consistent use of the appliance.
Your dental investments are protected
Dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, or veneers are at risk if you grind or clench your teeth. These treatments can be damaged or dislodge as a result.
A night guard creates a protective barrier around your dental restorations. The appliance can help you avoid costly replacement or repairs and prolong the life of your oral health investments.
The multi-faceted benefits of a dental occlusal (night) guard are worth consulting with your dentist - especially if you're experiencing jaw pain or tooth damage.
And speaking of a dental consultation - start the discussion about the use of a night guard with an online dentist.
Take advantage of a convenient, accessible, and cost-effective virtual dental care solution on the Dental.com platform.
- Transparent consultations
- Free scans
- Convenient, time-saving access to low cost, virtual dental consultations with a licensed dentist
- Connection to in-person dental care with dentists in your zip code
Virtual dental care is an effective solution for your oral health issues
The Dental.com team of dental professionals are trained to identify, diagnose, and treat any dental condition. From toothaches to second opinions - you’re covered!
- Access a 24 hour dentist now from your personal, private, and secure account.
- Select a reason for your visit using a brief questionnaire.
- Receive virtual dental care from a licensed dentist when you provide your issue details, any photos, and/or dental/health records.
Discover more about Dental.com on our How it Works page. Or Register Now.