Bruxism can be an incredibly uncomfortable condition that makes it harder for you to sleep peacefully, therefore disrupting other aspects of your day-to-day life. In addition, bruxism can harm your teeth. But did you know a night guard can help in many ways with this issue?
At Downtown Dental Studio, we offer myriad treatments, from regular dental cleanings to surgical procedures and everything in between. Fadi Beydoun, DMD, MS, Alexander Kimon, DMD, and Karina Zaygermakher, DMD, recommend a night guard for bruxism because of its many benefits. We’ll be happy to discuss it with you and explain why it’s so helpful.
Night guards are medical devices that prevent your teeth from grinding against one another at night. This is the main problem associated with bruxism, and the hardest time to prevent it is when you’re asleep because you don’t notice you’re doing it. The guard doesn’t keep you from grinding but keeps your teeth from meeting.
You can work on aspects of your life to minimize or manage your teeth grinding, from your stress levels to your diet, sleep health, habits, and posture. But wearing a night guard is one of the only physical ways to prevent your teeth from sliding against each other.
Bruxism can cause a number of side effects, some just annoying but others severe. These can include headaches, jaw and ear pain, tooth decay and damage, gum recession, and hypersensitivity in teeth. These issues can add to serious concerns for your physical and oral health.
Because your teeth don’t meet when wearing a night guard, you’re less likely to experience these side effects. It can be a great way to protect yourself, especially while you work on lessening the habit.
Not only does bruxism cause pain and problems with your oral health, but it can also keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Many say they sleep better when wearing this device, and patient satisfaction for night guards is high.
In addition, losing proper sleep can cause several side effects, which a night guard can help prevent. If you’re dealing with this problem and need a quick, short-term solution that allows you to sleep, a night guard can be a great help.
Unlike medical devices, night guards must be made specifically for your mouth. This means you will go to your provider and create the device just for you. It will fit with your bite, and you won’t have to adjust your comfort level. This also means almost anyone of any age can get a night guard if needed.
When you use a night guard, you not only prevent short-term problems like pain, discomfort, and sleep disturbances, but you also help prevent problems that require expensive treatments later on. For example, people who grind their teeth often experience tooth and gum damage, which could require serious surgery later on.
Night guards are relatively inexpensive compared to surgery and only need to be replaced every few years. In short, they are a great way to keep yourself healthy and avoid costly treatments later in life.
Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep, and you can get that — plus so much more — when you’re fitted for a night guard. It’s incredibly beneficial to have this medical device as part of your sleep routine, especially if you’re dealing with bruxism.
To learn more about night guards, call us at 212-964-3337. We can make an appointment at our office in the Financial District, or you can book one online.
