A nightguard is a plastic retainer-like piece that can be either hard or soft. It covers the biting surfaces of teeth and can be worn on either the top or bottom set of teeth. Nightguards are custom-made for each patient by molding them to fit your teeth without the risk of being uncomfortable or unnecessarily bulky.

Without further ado, here are the reasons to wear a nightguard:

1. To Prevent Teeth Damage 

Teeth grinding can cause your teeth to become sensitive and susceptible to decay. Enamel erosion from teeth grinding can make your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and more likely to develop decay and infections.

Teeth grinding can cause a lot of damage to your teeth. It can fracture a weak tooth and wear out any fillings. The surface of the teeth can handle the pressure associated with chewing and biting, but the additional pressure from clenching and grinding is not sustainable. As a result, the tooth fractures or cracks. 

Besides suffering the excruciating pain that comes with tooth fractures, you will have to make trips to the dentist for treatment. Sometimes the dentist can do a filling, but you may need more costly treatment like crowns, root canals, or tooth loss. Tooth loss can be fixed through bridges or implants.

2. To Prevent Temporomandibular Joint Disorder 

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. This joint can become damaged or misaligned due to clenching teeth in your sleep, which puts pressure on the TMJ. This can lead to TMJ dysfunction, which causes pain, difficulty chewing, and even headaches. Wearing a nightguard can help prevent this condition by easing muscle tension.

3. To Prevent Chronic Headaches

Chronic neck pain and headaches are often the first signs of bruxism since TMJ dysfunction manifests through migraines. The tensed muscles in the neck, shoulders, mouth, and jaw cause headaches. However, before you diagnose bruxism, you can check that the headaches are indeed caused by teeth grinding and clenching. 

One way is to look at the surface of the teeth; if they are flattened instead of being pointed, you likely grind your teeth in your sleep. Another way to tell is to look for a recession of gum and bone, which can happen because of clenching. A custom-made nightguard eliminates headaches because you no longer have to tense up the muscles.

4. Prevent Plaque Development

A sports mouth guard is not good at night to prevent teeth from grinding and clenching. It will actually do more harm than good. The mouth guard covers the teeth and gums and protects them from blunt force trauma. However, if worn at night, it actually traps bacteria on the gum's surface since saliva can't get to the gums while wearing the mouth guard.

Saliva is important for keeping your teeth healthy because it helps to neutralize acids and wash away food particles. When choosing a nightguard, it is best to consult an oral hygiene professional to ensure you get the right design for your teeth. Some nightguards have holes that allow saliva to reach your teeth, which is important for keeping your teeth healthy.

Conclusion

Wearing a nightguard is an effective way to protect your teeth from damage while you sleep. Nightguards can help prevent teeth grinding and clenching, leading to tooth damage over time. They can also help reduce the risk of TMJ disorders. If you are considering wearing a nightguard, talk to your dentist about the best option for you.

Vitality Technologies is an in-house digital dental lab servicing dental clients across the United States. We specialize in dental implants, fixed prosthetics, and high-end removable dentures. We modernize the dental lab process with the most advanced technology and certified skilled technicians that consistently deliver the highest quality dental products at the best prices. Give us a call to speak with our staff.