Do Mouth Guards Help With Teeth Grinding?

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 teeth grinding

Do you wake up with a severe headache? Teeth grinding is one of the common reasons for this condition. If not treated on time, it leads to severe dental issues such as wear and tear of your teeth.

Do not worry!

We have a perfect solution for your smile. You might have heard of mouth guards for protecting your smile and treating bruxism. As they come in various types, it might be hard for you to select the best one. In this blog, we will understand mouth guards, their types and how can they treat teeth grinding.

Understanding Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding also known as bruxism is a dental condition in which a person grinds or clenches teeth. It can be of two types: sleep bruxism and awake bruxism. This is an involuntary action that further leads to damaged enamel, chipped teeth, etc.

Reasons For Teeth Grinding

If you are thinking of treating teeth grinding, it is important to know the causes first. The following are some of the reasons for teeth grinding:

  • Anxiety

    Stress, anxiety, and depression are one of the major causes of bruxism. People often clench or grind their teeth for stress relief.

  • Sleep Disorder

    Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea is a condition in which a person experiences breathing issues. Breathing repeatedly stops decreasing the oxygen level. This develops the tension in your jaws leading to severe grinding. Hence a sleep disorder is one of the causes of bruxism as well.

  • Dental Misalignments

    When your teeth do not align with each other perfectly it causes irritation and discomfort in your mouth. During sleep, a person may subconsciously try to align them by clenching and grinding the jaws.

What are Mouth Guards?

teeth grinding.
A clear dental night guard for teeth grinding.

Mouth guards are protective dental devices that are placed inside your mouth. These are designed to protect your teeth from any dental mishap. They are made of thermoplastic material and are placed in your mouth to prevent damage by acting as a shock absorber or cushion between the jaws.

Do you wake up with severe headaches?
Don't let teeth grinding impact your perfect smile. Wear a custom-fit mouth guard for teeth grinding at night and enjoy a restful sleep.
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Types of Mouth Guards

The following are the types of mouth guards available for you:

  • Stock Mouth Guards

    These are ready-to-wear mouth guards available at any sports shop. As they are pre-made, they do not offer a perfect fit to your mouth. They are bulky and can be uncomfortable for you. If you are looking for the least expensive options, stock mouth guards are for you. They are not an effective option for teeth-grinding due to the lack of complete protection.

  • Boil-and-bite Mouth Guards

    Boil-and-bite mouth guards are made of thermoplastic material that can be slightly customized. Before you wear them in your mouth, you have to follow the given steps to mold them according to your mouth:

    • Keep the mouth guard in hot water.
    • Once it is softened, take it out.
    • Place it in your mouth and mold it accordingly. You can adjust it by biting it or with the help of your tongue.
    • Let it adjust in your mouth for a few minutes.

    You need to carry out the procedure carefully as there are higher chances of incorrect molding. They might not offer you complete protection, but are better than the stock mouth guards.

    Custom Mouth Guards

    These are the mouth guards recommended the most. Considering your comfort and convenience, you can now get your mouth guards customized according to your mouth. A custom mouth guard is tailored according to your dental needs with the help of your smile impressions. They are exactly the size of your mouth and offer complete protection. These are recommended for patients with severe teeth grinding.

Mouth Guards For Teeth Grinding

mouth guards
A man putting on nighttime mouth guards for teeth grinding.

Mouth guards for teeth grinding are also known as night guards that are specifically designed for wearing during sleep. A night guard acts as a barrier between your jaws and protects them through the night. For enhanced protection and comfort, get a custom-fit mouth guard that offers a snug fit to your teeth.

Benefits of Using Mouth Guards For Teeth Grinding

The following are some benefits of using mouth guards for teeth grinding:

  • Prevents Tooth Damage

    Wearing a mouth guard prevents dental damage. When a person grinds the teeth, it might impact the tooth structure leading to damaged tooth enamel. Therefore, wearing a mouth guard for sleeping plays a crucial role in offering protection throughout the night.

  • Protection Against Teeth Grinding

    A mouth guard for teeth grinding acts as a cushion between your mouth's upper and lower jaw. This prevents them from coming into contact and offers protection against bruxism.

  • TMJ Pain Relief

    TMJ is a dental condition also known as temporomandibular joint disorder. These are the joints present on each side of your face, right in front of years. It is a condition in which these joints get stiff and hard leading to severe pain. One of the symptoms of TMJ disorder is a popping sound from your jaws. One of the leading causes of TMJ is bruxism. Wearing a nighttime mouth guard for TMJ keeps your jaws in place and offers pain relief.

  • Improves Sleep Quality

    People going through nighttime teeth grinding are likely to have disturbed sleep due to pain and discomfort. When you keep your smile protected throughout the night, you can improve your sleep quality and prevent waking up with severe headaches.

How To Make the Right Decision?

mouth guard
A man wearing a mouth guard for protection against bruxism

Now that you are aware of all the benefits of mouth guards for teeth grinding, it is time for you to make the right decision. The following factors will help you make a wise decision for your smile:

  • Comfort

    When it comes to protecting your smile at nighttime, your comfort should always be the priority. For this sake, consider getting a custom-fit mouth guard that promises your comfort and prevents irritating your gums and cheeks throughout the night.

  • Durability

    You might not want to get a dental product that only lasts for a few days. Consider getting a mouth guard that is made of high-quality material and stays with you for a longer duration. A durable mouth guard has better functionality and is suitable for long-term use.

  • Cost

    Select a budget for your mouth guard and look for a brand that is a suitable one. A custom-fit mouth guard can cost you more as compared to the other options but ensures a perfect fit.

ALIGNERCO - A Trustworthy Brand For Night Time Protection

 teeth grinding.
A girl putting on a night guard for teeth grinding.

The following are some types of night guards available at ALIGNERCO. Opt for a suitable one and protect your teeth throughout the night:

  • Soft Night Guards

    These are made of soft and flexible 3 mm plastic material. These are suitable for people with mild to moderate teeth grinding at night time.

  • Hard Night Guards

    This type of night guard is made of 2 mm PTEG material. These are only recommended for those with severe teeth-grinding issues.

  • Hybrid Night Guards

    Keeping your smile protected and comfortable is always a priority. For this purpose, a hybrid night guard makes sure to provide comfort with an inner soft layer and protection with an outer hard layer. This is a perfect combination of soft and hard night guards.

How To Order Custom-Fit Mouth Guards?

The following is how you can make an order for your custom-fit mouth guards:

1. Place an Order

The first step you need to make is to make an order for your custom-fit night guard. We will dispatch an impression kit to your doorstep.

2. Create Your Impressions

The impression kit comes with all the instructions for creating your impressions at home. Once completed, send them back to us for customization of your night guards.

3. Receive Your Night Guards

Received your customized night guards at your doorstep. Wear them at night and say goodbye to teeth grinding.

For more information, call ALIGNERCO at +1 (877) 271-7417

To sum it up, grinding teeth at nighttime leads to severe dental issues such as damaging the enamel layer, broken or chipped teeth, etc. To keep your perfect smile safe and protected wear a nighttime mouth guard for teeth grinding. However, it is important to figure out the underlying cause of bruxism for long-term relief.

FAQs

1. What are the disadvantages of night guards?

One of the major disadvantages of a night guard is that it loses its shape and can be damaged easily if not taken properly care.

2. How to stop teeth grinding in sleep?

To stop teeth grinding in sleep you need to address the underlying cause. For temporary protection of your smile, wear a mouth guard for teeth grinding.

3. Can you naturally stop teeth grinding?

Reducing stress and anxiety can help you naturally stop teeth grinding. Relaxing your mind and doing yoga can help with stress relief.

4. Are mouth guards for teeth grinding worth it?

Wearing a mouth guard for teeth grinding is worth it as it protects your smile through the night. It avoids getting your jaws in contact and prevents bruxism.

5. Is grinding your teeth serious?

Severe teeth grinding is a serious dental disorder that can lead to headaches, damaged teeth, jaw pain, etc. Therefore, grinding teeth is a serious issue that needs to be treated as soon as possible.

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  • James Wilson

    James Wilson

    Content Contributor

    James Wilson is a health and wellness writer with a Bachelor's in Communications from Boston University, specializing in making dental care and protective equipment information accessible to everyday readers. His clear writing style and dedication to thorough research have made him a valued contributor to ALIGNERCO's educational content, where he... Read More

  • Authored by
  • Dr. Anas Athar

    Dr. Anas Athar

    Medical Reviewer

    Dr. Anas Athar is a highly sought-after orthodontist with nearly two decades of experience in dentistry. He is the only dual-trained Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist and Orthodontist in Texas, with specialties in clear aligners, interceptive orthodontics, advanced dental imaging, dental sleep medicine, and more. Dr. Athar continually hones his skills... Read More

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