Bruxism Nightguards Protect Teeth Affected By Clenching And Grinding

Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and clenching of the jaw, which can effectively be treated with bruxism night guards. Children and adults experience bruxism during the day when they are awake and overnight during sleep. However, far more people suffer from some level of bruxism while they sleep. The Sleep Foundation estimates that 60-percent of adults clench and move their jaw during sleep. As high as 50-percent of children also experience bruxism while they sleep.

Symptoms of bruxism vary, but can severely disrupt sleep and have a negative effect on oral and overall health. Jaw pain and damage to teeth are the most common physical symptoms of bruxism. Long term bruxism can lead to deterioration and loss of teeth at its worst.

 Additionally, clenching and grinding can cause you to wake frequently during the night and develop headaches. This is because over the course of a day, teeth should only be clenched together for 10 minutes. Symptoms occur when you clench and grind your teeth more than that, and commonly increase over time.

Bruxism night guards are the most effective means of treatment for bruxism. These night guards work by adding a protective layer between your teeth to prevent grinding. They also work to keep your jaw positioned in place to limit movement. Bruxism night guards absorb tension in the jaw muscles, which alleviates pain arising from clenching.

Dentists can recommend and provide a bruxism night guard that fits your jaw structure. There are several different types of night guards available, such as soft night guards, dual laminate night guards, and hard night guards. Talk to your dentist about the pros and cons of each. Dentists can also custom-fit the night guard to your teeth and jaw. Custom-fitted bruxism night guards are more comfortable and more effective at absorbing tension from jaw muscles.