Sleep bruxism — which involves involuntarily clenching the jaw and grinding the upper and lower teeth together while asleep — is a complex and common dental problem. It regularly affects nearly 9% of the general population in Canada (and sometimes affects as much as 90%), while about half of people who experience it also have significant difficulty sleeping1,2.
In addition to interrupting sleep, sleep bruxism can also lead to:
- Jaw pain;
- Soreness in the facial muscles
- Widening and squaring-off of the jawline;
- Headaches (especially when waking up); and
- Chipped and damaged teeth3.
Left untreated, these side effects of sleep bruxism tend to get more and more severe.
That is why, if you know or suspect you are suffering from sleep bruxism, you should contact your local dental clinic in Vancouver for treatment. Work with a dentist near you to protect your teeth against the harmful effects of teeth clenching and grinding.
Successful Sleep Bruxism Treatment Starts With Protection
There is still some uncertainty in the medical and dental communities about the root causes of sleep bruxism. Nevertheless, research suggests that stress and anxiety are its primary causes. Yet diet, genetics, caffeine, cigarettes, sleep apnea, and dental architecture may each play some role in it4,1.
Given this uncertainty, working with the best dentist in Vancouver to treat bruxism will almost always start with getting fitted for (or recommended to purchase) a night guard.
Why Wear A Night Guard
Wearing a night guard (also called a mouth guard, dental guard, bite splints, or nocturnal bite plates) is one of the fastest and easiest ways to prevent both teeth grinding and jaw clenching from causing further damage. Moreover, it is among the most effective forms of self-care recommended to people experiencing the painful (and sometimes unaesthetic) side effects of bruxism3. The available types of night guard include:
- Stock Mouth Guards – available OTC at any drugstore and many sporting goods stores; inexpensive but loose-fitting; not highly recommended for sleep bruxism due to displacement;
- Boil-And-Bite Mouth Guards – available OTC at most drugstores; provide a customized fit when the boil-and-bite process is done right; relatively inexpensive;
- Custom-Made Mouth Guards – available at any professional dental clinic in Vancouver; cost often covered by insurance; provide the best possible fit and the best possible protection.
Night Guards Prevent Dental Damage
Functionally, a night guard’s main purpose is to act as a barrier between the teeth, thereby preventing damage to the teeth. This is a critical first step in the treatment of sleep bruxism. Even moderate tooth grinding and jaw clenching — done often enough and for a long enough duration — can cause a variety of dental problems. That includes:
- Wearing down/through the tooth enamel, increasing both sensitivity and the risk of cavities5;
- Loosening the teeth in their sockets, which can increase vulnerability to tooth loss, tooth cavities, and gum disease6;
- Flattening, cracking, chipping, and otherwise damaging and deforming teeth;
- Shifting the position of teeth, which can cause orthodontic issues and lead to the failure of dental implants7.
Night Guards Can Improve Quality of Life
The physical barrier provided by a night guard also acts to cushion against and distribute the force of biting down. As a result, people with sleep bruxism who start wearing night guards may report getting more and better quality sleep. They may also have less jaw and facial pain and wake up with a headache less frequently. But getting these benefits depends on the fit and comfort of the guard.
A custom-fit mouthguard, like those available at a dentist near you, is often much more comfortable than any store-bought device.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5070759/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/bruxism-what-happens-when-grind-your-teeth-too-much-2019-4
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5479477/
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/80d54c7fb872766c1c876c26b6008e23/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=28708
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2934876/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095
- https://www.ddmeonline.com/Bruxism_Its_multiple_causes_and_its_effe.pdf
