Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Have you ever heard of bruxism? This is the clinical term for the condition in which someone involuntarily grinds and/or clenches their teeth. It is estimated that approximately 10% of adults and 15% of children in America experience this. Many people with bruxism never realize they’re grinding their teeth, or receive a diagnosis, because it happens when they are asleep. Because this happens involuntarily, the condition is tough to eliminate but can be controlled with the use of a night guard. Protecting your teeth is just one of the advantages to using a night guard. Read on to learn more about these benefits.
What is a night guard?
Before we proceed, let’s make sure to explain what a night guard is and how it works. This is an oral appliance that is made to fit in your mouth and should be worn while you sleep. You may have seen some of these guards available for purchase in your local store. However, if you receive your night guard from an experienced dentist in Greeneville like Tusculum Dental Care, you’re choosing a higher-quality item. First off, our mouth guards are custom made from impressions of your mouth, guaranteeing a snug, secure, comfortable fit. We also make our mouth guards from higher-quality materials that are superior to any store-bought oral appliance.
5 benefits to using a night guard
- Prevents tooth damage: Someone with bruxism experiences an inordinate amount of excessive force on their teeth from the grinding. This habit can make your teeth chip, break or even wear down to the nubs. Bruxism can damage existing dental restorations and even wear away enamel–the protective outer layer of your tooth structure. The use of a night guard helps to prevent this wear and tear, and in turn, saves time and money needed for restorative dental procedures to repair the damage.
- Protects against temporomandibular joint disorder: Also known as TMJ disorder, this condition occurs when the temporomandibular joint–which connects the jaw to the skull–becomes aggravated. Bruxism is a key cause of TMJ, as it can throw the temporomandibular joint out of alignment. The muscles used for chewing become tight and sore, which is just one of a host of potential cascading consequences if you live with untreated TMJ disorder.
- Reduces headaches: The persistent grinding and clenching that occurs during bruxism can cause tension in the jaws, ears and head. This can cause a person to wake up with a throbbing headache on a regular basis. By using a customized night guard provided by your Erwin family dentist, the tension that causes these headaches is reduced because of the relief or pressure on your teeth and jaws.
- Improves sleep: Quality of sleep can absolutely be impacted by the discomfort in the muscles around your jaw that can be caused by bruxism. The night guard allows those muscles the chance to relax and relieves that sense of discomfort. This leads to much more peaceful rest overnight, which will have you feeling better.
Mouth Guards for Bruxism in Greeneville, Jonesborough and Erwin in Tennessee
Stop living with the potential dental devastation from bruxism. At Tusculum Dental Care, we offer solutions to repair your smile and peace of mind. Our team of oral health professionals can determine a treatment plan to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile again and resume a stress-free night’s sleep.
To find out more, call our office at (423) 639-7575 or visit us online to schedule a consultation.