People who suffer from anxiety sometimes manifest their stress by pressing their upper and lower teeth against each other. Dentists at Southern Smiles recommend using night guards to patients with this condition, known as bruxism. Covering your teeth with these plastic trays protects your smile from erosion and makes pain and oral problems a thing of the past.
What Are Night Guards for?
Night guards prevent your upper and lower teeth from clashing when you clench your jaw. Unconscious teeth grinding or bruxism causes your enamel to wear down, exposing your smile to oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease. You can cushion the blow by placing a guard over your upper teeth at night, stopping potential dental issues.
Other conditions that require patient to wear night guards are:
- TMJ disorder
- Teeth sensitivity
- Playing sports
Care Tips for Your Night Guards
Night guards have a lifespan of around a year, so contact your dentist for a replacement after that time. Keeping your night guard bacteria-free is a vital part of the process. You can follow tips like:
- Rinsing them before and after wearing them
- Keeping them in their case
- Brushing your teeth properly
Do You Need Night Guards to Protect Your Teeth?
If bruxism or TMJ disorder makes you wake up in pain every morning, visit Southern Smiles and get night guards. Contact us today to learn more about this and other services available!
