Bruxism is the medical term that refers to grinding the teeth during sleep, something which night guards may help prevent. Grinding is not just annoying but can also cause damage to the teeth, as well as a variety of other health problems. A dentist can perform an exam to determine the extent of the damage and make suggestions for correcting the problem.

Problems associated with bruxism

Although the person who is affected may not even be aware of the grinding that takes place during the night, a good deal of damage can occur. The following are issues that may need to be addressed by the dentist during an exam:

• Headaches of varying severity and neck pain may occur from the constant muscle tension of grinding.
• Teeth are likely to become worn down or cracked or may even loosen.
• Earaches can be caused by the muscle tension and pressure.
• Soreness in the jaw or TMJ (temporal mandibular joint disorder) may develop, potentially requiring headgear or surgical correction.
• Sleep can be disturbed by any of these symptoms, as well as by the grinding itself, leaving a person feeling stressed instead of rested.
• Some people tend to grind when they are awake as well, especially when anxious or concentrating.

How grinding causes tooth damage

The muscles associated with the bite reflex are some of the strongest in the body. When grinding of the teeth takes place, these powerful muscles are overworked for hours on end. It does not take much imagination to understand how bruxism can leave patients in a good deal of pain or discomfort. It is necessary to block the movement if possible to stop the damage from becoming worse.

How night guards are fitted

Night guards are a viable solution for tooth grinding. They are made from impressions of a patient’s mouth taken in the dentist’s office so they fit perfectly and are custom to the individual patient. Because they need to protect the surface of the teeth, the guards are made of a firm acrylic material that is break- and crack-resistant and should not impede free breathing or swallowing or make speaking difficult.

What guards can do to prevent more damage

For a milder case of grinding, a guard may be fitted to the top or bottom teeth only. This alone can provide a measure of protection as the acrylic can neither wear down the surface of the lower teeth nor become worn down by them. In the case of a patient with orthodontics, a lower guard may be needed as well. A dentist can also make adjustments to the bite through the use of a night guard, which could potentially correct or reduce the grinding. Wearing night guards may not seem like a pleasant prospect, but when fitted properly by a dental professional and worn on a regular basis, these devices can make a big difference to a patient’s general oral health. Tooth damage, tension headaches and lasting stress issues caused by teeth-grinding can be decreased, leaving a person feeling healthier and better rested.