benefits of sleep hygiene - night guard

Many of us follow proper sleep hygiene, like avoiding screens just before bed and following a consistent sleep cycle. But for those who grind or clench their teeth, here’s something that should also be part of your daily bedtime routine i.e. a night guard.

Did you know that your teeth can affect the way you sleep? With a night guard on, you can prevent severe tooth damage and soreness that are associated with bruxism.

This condition is characterized by grinding or clenching the teeth unconsciously, like when you’re asleep. It’s estimated that 8-10% of people experience bruxism.

Wondering if the expense of a night guard is worth it? Considering the following benefits, a good quality night guard will make a significant difference to those who suffer with bruxism:

Alleviate Jaw Tension & Headaches

Some of the major consequences of teeth grinding are Jaw tenderness, sore muscles, and an overall headache. This causes an intense pain which makes a person difficult to speak or chew properly.

A night guard is custom-made to fit your mouth; it attaches to the top and/or bottom rows of your teeth. It acts as a physical barrier between your teeth that alleviates tension.

Do you consistently wake up with aches and pains in your head, jaws, and ears? Westside Dental Group a Family Dentist Winnipeg highly recommends wearing a night guard when you sleep. This will ease the discomfort you experience regularly.

Prevent Tooth Damage

The forces of your jaws can be surprisingly powerful. If you grind your teeth, they could suffer from damage like:

  • Cracks
  • Chips
  • Loose teeth

The damage caused by bruxism is permanent unless it’s treated by a dentist. You may damage your teeth or deal with increased sensitivity. 

We rely on our teeth throughout our lives for eating, speaking, and smiling. Take better care of them by wearing a night guard.

A Deeper, More Restful Sleep

It’s tough to get your beauty sleep when your jaws are hard at work! By wearing a night guard, you won’t grind down your teeth while you try to get a deep sleep. 

For many people, bruxism escalates because of anxiety and/or anger. During a stressful time, it’s tough enough to sleep as is—this is only made worse by grinding your teeth, which disrupts your sleep patterns.

Wearing a night guard, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed after an uninterrupted night of rest. And without aches and pains! 

Save on Dental Costs

One of the main reasons why patients put off getting a night guard is because of the cost. However, it’s an investment in a lifetime of better oral health.

Look past the short-term expense and consider the problems that could arise down the line. If you don’t wear a night guard, your teeth could become chipped, cracked, or even broken. These issues are a lot more costly to fix than purchasing a night guard.

When you factor in the cost of repairing damaged teeth, the expense of a night guard becomes a lot more reasonable.

Night guards can save your teeth from the damage that’s caused by clenching and grinding. A good quality night guard benefits your oral health, improves your sleep quality, and subsequently reduces aches and pains. Are you convinced that a night guard is right for you? If you’re looking for a dentist in Winnipeg that can help you stop grinding your teeth at night, contact WestSide Dental. Whether you need a night guard or bite adjustment, we can help! Give us a call now!.