If you ever experience pain that generally occurs in your jaw and head, you might be dealing with bruxism. It is a condition where you grind your teeth in your sleep.
One of the most common solutions to this problem is to wear a nightguard. A night guard in Richmond can be made according to the size of your mouth under the guidance of a trusted dentist. It is typically worn while sleeping and is also available at your local pharmacy store.
However, it is advised that you examine your teeth and let your dentist help to check for possible infections and find measures accordingly.
What is a night guard?
It is a hard or soft plastic-like retainer that covers the biting surface of your teeth and can be worn in your top or bottom set of teeth. Everyone has different shapes and sizes of teeth, and therefore retainers are made custom-wise accordingly.
Types of night guards:
There is not much difference in the structure. However, night guards can be differentiated based on their material.
- Acrylic night guards – These types of night guards are used to treat TMJ and severe teeth grinding. They are more durable as they are made out of durable material.
- OTC night guards – These are night guards that are made to fit everyone. They are pre-moulded and can fit every size of your mouth.
- Custom made night guards – In this type of night guard, a dentist makes a personalized night guard that is durable enough and can last up to several years.
Possible reasons why you may need a nightguard:
If you wake up with a sore jaw or headache that ranges from mild to severe, you must consult your dentist as it can be caused due to bruxism.
In addition to this, you might also suffer from the following symptoms:
- Chipped teeth – Teeth can be chipped due to constant teeth clenching or grinding. This makes your teeth lose their natural shape and can also affect the enamel of your teeth.
- You have a constant headache – If you deal with a similar type of headache every morning that occurs in the same area, then it is time you get yourself a night guard.
- TMJ/TMD – The temporomandibular joint disorder can be caused due to extreme pressure on your jaw muscles. This can be caused due to excessive teeth grinding.
Night Guards are available of various types and qualities, and they are made by a dental professional by carefully examining your mouth and teeth size.
The only function of a nightguard is to protect your teeth from grinding together and prevent possible teeth cracks and jaw muscle problems in the future.