If you wake up with pain in your jaw, a sore jaw, or pain in your tooth, there is a strong possibility that you may be suffering from bruxism. Bruxism, which is commonly known as teeth grinding is a condition that affects a significant number of adults worldwide. While there are multiple ways to address bruxism, a nightguard is one of the most effective ways to deal with the condition. A night guard is a device or an apparatus that is worn inside the mouth at night to prevent clenching or bruxism – the primary function of the device. The night guard also ensures that the jaw muscles are not strained.
Nightguards
A nightguard or mouth splint is a customized appliance. Nightguards are available with a pharmacist. Our team of dentists in Wakad recommends buying a teeth guard from a dental expert to ensure that the night guard is comfortable and is of the highest quality. Guards of this type tend to be of higher quality and superior fit, as they are prepared from laboratory from an impression of your mouth carefully taken by dental experts.
Cleaning and Storing Nightguard
Our team highly recommends cleaning the nightguard efficiently to ensure that it does not end up giving out a bad smell. It is imperative to clean and store your nightguard in the required manner. It is critical to wash your mouthguard every time you remove it and brush it with a toothbrush. Moreover, avoid storing a nightguard that is wet as it may become a breeding ground for bacteria.
While a nightguard is an inexpensive way to deal with teeth clenching, there are a host of other treatments available at City Dental Care to prevent teeth grinding.
If a night guard is uncomfortable, there are some other treatments to address the problem of teeth grinding.
Let’s find out what they are!
- Teeth straightening – When teeth are not aligned appropriately, it could lead to teeth grinding at night. However, with corrective measures, teeth straightening can be easily dealt with.
- Stress control – Often overlooked, but anxiety is one of the leading causes of anxiety as people often clench their jaws as a coping mechanism.
- Diet – A change in the diet could lead to bruxism. Our experts may advise you to avoid stimulants of bruxism including coffee. Further, it is essential to note that specific medication including antidepressants are also linked with causing bruxism. Hence, if you are suffering from a medical condition which requires anti-depressants for treatment, our experts will recommend the most suitable medication.