How Does a Mouth Guard Prevent Teeth Grinding?
A mouth guard (also called an occlusal guard or night guard) helps prevent damage from teeth grinding; known medically as Bruxism; or involuntarily grinding and clenching of teeth usually while sleeping.
Mouth guard can do so much for those that use them or need them. When you play sports, or if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw or any other reason, a mouth guard might be something recommended.
How Can a Mouth Guard be Protective for Your Teeth?
There are many ways your mouth guard can be protective and provide you with the smile you need and want.
If you play sports, especially those that require contact, a mouth guard is going to be your first line of defense against protecting the teeth and the outside dangers.
When you grind or clench your teeth together, whether during the day or at night, you need something that is going to help you from damaging your teeth. If you do this at night, you might be doing it so hard that it is grinding down or breaking the teeth and become a serious problem.
What Key Ways Does Wearing a Mouth Guard Help?
- Absorbs and distributes shock and pressure: Teeth grinding can generate a lot of force. The mouth guard cushions that pressure and spreads it out more evenly, reducing stress on teeth.
- Changes and reduces muscle activity: Wearing a mouthguard or night guard can subtly alter how your jaw closes.
- Interrupts the grinding pattern protecting teeth: Over time you will unconsciously ease off because the guard feels different than natural tooth contact, which will reduce grinding intensity during sleep especially.
A mouth guard helps treat the “effects” of teeth grinding during the day or at night – more than the root cause. Bruxism (grinding of teeth) can be caused by body stress or anxiety, sleep disorders or bite alignment issues.
If you think you require the use of a special mouth guard and want a fitting or just want to speak with our dentist regarding a mouth guard Contact Us Today.
We can set up a time for you to come in and get a regular dental cleaning and exam and speak with our dentists. We want to protect your teeth and will make sure you get all of the information you need in order to do so. Smile with confidence and ease every day with our help.
