Nightguards for Bruxism San Antonio
Put a Stop to Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Do you ever wake up with a sore jaw and a headache? Do your teeth seem more sensitive than they used to be? It is possible that you grind and clenching your teeth at night. Without timely intervention, this problem could seriously harm your oral health! Fortunately, the solution is often simple. You might just need a custom nightguard for bruxism from our San Antonio dental team. Continue reading below to learn more about this preventive measure.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is simply the medical term that describes teeth grinding and clenching. You might find yourself doing it during the day, particularly when you are frustrated or stressed. However, many people also engage in bruxism at night — and they are completely unaware that they do it!
Here are some signs that may indicate you are a nocturnal bruxer:
- Your partner has noticed grinding sounds coming from you when you are sleeping.
- You often wake up with a sore jaw.
- You sometimes wakeup with a headache, which may feel like a dull pain around your temples.
- Your teeth are extra sensitive.
- Your teeth have visible signs of damage (for example, they might look as if they have become shorter.)
How Do Nightguards Work?
A nightguard is a simple and elegant solution for nocturnal bruxism. It is essentially a mouthguard that you wear during sleep. It places a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, which prevents grinding and clenching and helps to relieve tension in your facial muscles.
It is possible to purchase over-the-counter nightguards. However, they do not always fit well; some people find that OTC products actually worsen their discomfort. That is why we recommend custom nightguards.
If you are interested in this service, our team will evaluate your case to determine if a nightguard is a good option for you. If it is, we will take impressions of your mouth and use those to design your custom appliance. After a laboratory fabricates it, you should start wearing it nightly. Many patients notice a very quick improvement in their symptoms!
The Benefits of Nightguards
A custom nightguard has the potential to provide some outstanding benefits:
- Protects Teeth from Damage: Nightguards act as a barrier, preventing your teeth from grinding against each other, which helps reduce wear, chipping, and shortening of teeth.
- Reduces Jaw Pain: By minimizing clenching and grinding, nightguards can alleviate tension and soreness in the jaw muscles.
- Decreases Headaches: Consistent use of a nightguard often leads to fewer headaches caused by muscle strain or bruxism-related stress around the temples.
- Improves Sleep Quality: Nightguards can reduce nighttime disruptions related to bruxism, allowing for deeper and more restful sleep.
- Prevents Tooth Sensitivity: Creating a cushion between teeth lessens enamel loss, decreasing sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods.
- Saves Money: By preventing the need for more extensive dental services, a custom nightguard could help you save a significant amount of money.