Grinding your teeth while you sleep, known as bruxism, is a condition that can’t be prevented with wishful thinking. Bruxism causes wearing of the teeth, can destroy tooth enamel and crack
or chip your teeth. Tooth enamel is not something that can be fixed or replaced once it’s destroyed. That protection around your teeth will be gone, leaving them exposed to plaque and other bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

Clenching your jaw it something else that happens when experiencing bruxism. It can lead to constant headaches, sore jaw and other facial muscles, or chronic pain in the face, jaw and neck. This pain is known as temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, disorder. Something as simple as wearing a dental night guard will keep your teeth separated and benefit your way of life in many ways.

Advantages of the Guard

Prevents Tooth Damage

The wearing away of enamel, on top of possibly chipping teeth and damaging fillings are just some of the problems that can be prevented by wearing a night guard. They come in at varying
price points and are available over the counter or through a dental clinic.

Prevents Headache

Apart from tooth damage, bruxism also causes headaches due to the constant tension in the jaw. Night guards relieve that tension by aiding in relaxing the jaw. This should result in fewer
headaches throughout your day.

Helps with Sleep

Provides comfort while minimizing symptoms associated with teeth grinding and jaw clenching. This ends up greatly improving your sleep patterns, as the night guard repositions your jaw for
optimal muscle relaxation.

Saves Money

Tooth damage can cost a lot of money to fix, especially when caused by the repeated clenching of the jaw and teeth. As night guards prevent that from happening, this means you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on costly dental treatments and surgeries.

Prevents Snoring

Night guards are designed to allow the presence of a small space between the upper and lower jaw. As a result of keeping your teeth separated, you’ll be able to increase your air intake and breathe better during the night.

Obtaining a Night Guard

There are three different types of night guards on the market: over-the-counter, custom-made and NTI (Nociceptive trigeminal inhibition) splints. Over-the-counter night guards can be purchased for about $30 and completely covers the top and/or bottom rows of teeth. The process of creating the mould at home is simple, and while this guard may be the most economical choice, it’s not as comfortable as a custom-made night guard.

Custom made guards are professionally fitted and crafted by your dental practitioner. Moulds are created using an impression of your teeth before being sent off to a lab to be produced. Made from durable plastic, it will last a while but comes with a hefty price tag.

Lastly, we have the NTI splint, a small guard that covers only the front top and bottom teeth. The idea here is that keeping the front teeth from meeting should relieve pressure in the jaw and
prevent grinding. While it is not as expensive as custom guards, the main issue is that because the guard does not cover all your teeth, misalignment will happen over time and permanently
move teeth.

Located in Maple Ridge, Vancouver, Lumina Dental provides several services, on top of producing sport and night guards. We offer cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, implants and dentures, orthodontics and urgent care. Our experts use the best equipment to ensure a comprehensive treatment for your patients. Call or make an appointment on our website at www.luminadental.ca.