If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain or chronic headaches, or your dentist informed you that your teeth were being worn down because of grinding, you may have been advised to consider using a nightguard. But what is all the fuss about nightguards, and do they actually help stop tooth destruction?
I spoke with Dr. Andy Engel to shed some light on this topic. According to Dr. Engel, nightguards are dental appliances designed to protect teeth and jaws from the detrimental effects of teeth grinding and clenching, also known as bruxism.
Grinding and clenching are often caused by stress. Sadly, his practice sees an increasing number of patients who need nightguards each year.
Dr. Engel explains that bruxism can occur during sleep, often without the individual’s awareness.
“Bruxism is often silent,” said Dr. Engel. “The person grinding or clenching their teeth at night may not realize they are doing it, and their partner may not hear it happening, but upon examination, the dentist will surely see the damage. Bruxism can destroy anything and everything in the mouth.”
Do you ever wake up with pain radiating down your face or notice pain in your TMJ (temporomandibular joint)? Well, that is likely clenching, my friend. Over time, this habit can lead to various dental issues, including worn enamel, chipped or cracked teeth, jaw pain, and headaches. Nightguards act as a protective barrier, preventing the teeth from grinding against each other and reducing the strain on the jaw muscles. They can literally save your teeth from the destruction you don’t even know you’re doing.
From Dr. Engel’s perspective, nightguards offer a practical and non-invasive solution for managing bruxism, a condition that impacts up to 40 percent of Americans, for which there is no cure. By wearing a custom-fitted nightguard while sleeping, patients can safeguard their oral health and alleviate the discomfort associated with teeth grinding. Additionally, Dr. Engel emphasizes that nightguards can help minimize the need for extensive dental restoration procedures that may arise from untreated bruxism. The alternative for some is broken, stubs of teeth and chronic headaches that make life not very fun – no thank you.
The fuss about nightguards is certainly warranted, given their potential to provide much-needed relief for individuals dealing with bruxism. As Dr. Engel highlights, incorporating a nightguard into your oral care routine can significantly preserve the health and integrity of your teeth and jaws, giving you hope for a pain-free future. He advises against purchasing the over-the-counter variety.
“Nightguards should be custom-made for the individual as wearing an over-the-counter variety can cause more problems than intended to resolve or manage,” said Dr. Engel. “We’ve seen patients end up with TMJ pain and teeth alignment issues. Buyer beware: The problems that stem from wearing non-custom nightguards can be costly in the long run, with some patients needing to wear orthodontics all over again. It just isn’t worth it.”
Dr. Andy shares that it takes about two weeks to get custom nightguards back from the lab that makes them—a minuscule amount of time considering the dramatic improvement they can make in one’s life.
If you suspect that you may be grinding your teeth at night or experiencing related symptoms, don’t hesitate to talk with Dr. Engel, who can assess your condition and recommend appropriate treatment, such as a custom nightguard. Taking proactive measures to address bruxism can improve oral health and overall well-being while protecting your teeth and any work done in the long term.