Do you wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or sensitive teeth? These can all be signs of nighttime teeth grinding or clenching—also known as bruxism.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your teeth and improve your comfort is by wearing a custom nightguard to bed. Here are the top five benefits of making this small change to your nightly routine.
1. Preventing Tooth Damage from Grinding and Clenching
Unconscious grinding can lead to chips, cracks, enamel wear, and even tooth fractures. A custom-fit nightguard acts as a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing pressure and preventing long-term structural damage.
2. Reduced Jaw Pain and Tension
Bruxism strains the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), often leading to various issues, including jaw pain, popping, and stiffness. Wearing a nightguard cushions the joint and encourages proper alignment, helping to reduce inflammation and relieve tension.
3. Helping Minimize Morning Headaches
The forceful clenching of jaw muscles overnight can lead to tension headaches, especially in the temples. A nightguard reduces the strain on those muscles, which may significantly lessen the frequency and severity of headaches.
4. Protecting Dental Work Like Veneers, Crowns & Implants
Dental restorations are an investment worth protecting. Nightguards help shield expensive dental work, such as crowns, veneers, and implants, from wear and stress, thereby extending their lifespan and avoiding costly repairs.
5. Improved Sleep Quality and Reduced Disruptions
By reducing discomfort, jaw movement, and nighttime tension, a nightguard can help you—and even your sleep partner—rest more peacefully. Many patients report fewer wakeups, less snoring, and deeper sleep after starting nightguard use.
Treating Bruxism and TMJ Disorder with Custom Mouth Guards in Chesterfield, MO
If you’re in Chesterfield and want to learn more about the root canal treatment process and its many benefits, contact Dr. Robert Rahm and the caring and skilled Chesterfield Valley Dental team to schedule a consultation.