How Do You Treat Bruxism? (Guard For Teeth Grinding)

Teeth problems may occur at any time, and people can often become unaware of their causes. Bruxism or teeth grinding is common, but a lot of patients grind their teeth voluntarily. Many results show after constant bruxism. Headaches caused by teeth grinding can become severe migraines if there is no immediate treatment. Patients should seek help that a dentist can offer for their services. Particularly, a bruxism guard that can protect the tooth from decaying and gums from bleeding should have a professional diagnosis. You may want to know more about how to treat bruxism by identifying its causes and side – effects. 

Why Bruxism Happens Often At Night

Commonly, people have higher cases of having bruxism or teeth grinding while sleeping at night. Although there are still many people that experience bruxism during the day, it is during sleep that the unconscious tooth problem occurs. Most dentists say that health disorders like sleep apnea trigger bruxism. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when the breathing airways gets blocked due to relaxing of the uvula throat muscle walls and tongue. However, other factors such as stress, anxiety, gum disease, as well as TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disease can affect the instance of bruxism. You may find yourself in bad shape if you continuously have symptoms of teeth grinding such as worn out teeth, severe toothache, as well as facial pain. 

Which Mouth Guard Should People Use?

A severe jaw clenching or teeth grinding at night is not what everyone’s ideal good night sleep is. However, many treatments are ranging from medical to dental procedures today. Yet, patients can wear noninvasive occlusal guards like night guards. It is essential to know the difference among a mouthguard, mouth splints, a sports guard, and a night mouthguard. Many appliances can support teeth and prevent teeth grinding. So, if you want to save your tooth and your money at the same time, you should read these facts before buying a bruxism guard. 

Stock Mouthguard

Stock bruxism guards are mostly available in drugstores, pharmacies, and local grocery stores. These are cheap “one size fits it all” type of dental appliance. People on a tight budget might want to buy a stock mouthguard. However, most products like this can be bulky, obstruct breathing, and provide no protection from bruxism at all. 

Sports Mouth Guard

A sports mouthguard is a custom mouthguard for athletes, sports enthusiasts, and children who need protection from accidents or injuries. The main difference of these from night guards are how they are specially designed to protect a person’s mouth from sudden damage. 

Custom Mouth Guard

Custom guards are on top of the list for recommendations not only from your dentist but, from your coach or doctor. A custom mouth guard can help as these are made from a dental laboratory after an appointment. Although, there are many forms of customized mouth guard depending on its use. 

Boil And Bite

Boil and bite mouthguards are moldable and may fit any person’s mouth. It is made of a thermoplastic material that needs to be soaked in hot water and then fit inside the mouth. A patient with bruxism can adjust the boil and bite mouth guard with their tongue and fingers. These also cost less and is free from BPA and other harmful plastic materials. 

Bruxism Guard Is An Essential Dental Appliance

So, how does an orthodontic, dental appliance like a bruxism mouthguard vary from other mouthguards? In essence, a customized dental bruxism guard fits only one patient. The bruxism guard is only suitable according to the bruxism condition. Furthermore, the gums and teeth won’t feel that the mouthguard is loose and will fall off while sleeping. One vital reason why a person must visit their dentist’s office as fast as possible is to prevent further health complications. Gum redness, inflammation, and tooth decay can be avoided by treating your teeth grinding first. If you want to have a further explanation from a dental expert, schedule an appointment with your local dental clinic.

How Do People Prevent Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)?

Truthfully, people won’t know when bruxism guard is needed when one experiences teeth grinding. As mentioned earlier, bruxism is mostly an unconscious body response due to bacteria, stress, or sleep apnea. Bruxism can have possible prevention by guarding your oral health. Check our recommended tips on how to stop bruxism.

• Visit A Dentist Regularly

A dentist may see the first symptoms of your bruxism even at an early age. However, it is through continuous regular checkups that your clenching or teeth grinding can be avoided. However, due to the recent COVID19 problem, there are many individuals with limited access to their dentistry needs. But, the quick solution as of now is to contact your dentist online or through a telemedicine consultation. 2020 may have a different policy regarding visiting your dentists or any other healthcare practitioner. So, it is still best to know which safe way to consult a dentist. 

• Check Your Sleep Routine

How does your sleep affect your bruxism? If you are restless, having problems sleeping, or waking up with a severe migraine, you may be facing the issue of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the excess tissue in the neck and breathing airway tightens, which blocks the oxygen we need during sleep. Dentists say that sleep apnea is common for people that experience teeth grinding. There are other cases that a patient must consult a doctor to prevent more health concerns in the future.

• Daily Hygiene Can Make A Difference

Brushing your teeth, flossing, and using a mouthwash all have a contribution on reducing the symptoms of your teeth grinding. Bacteria in the mouth can affect the sensitivity of the nerves in the gums. On that note, many dentists always check the patient’s X-ray results to see the extent of the cause.