If your dentist designed a regular dental night guard specifically for you but you still have jaw pain or headaches, why do you think it is not working? We want to clarify this question and others that surround the use of night guards to relieve TMJ pain in this article
A person’s teeth are successfully protected from nighttime grinding by the plastic appliance. If you grind your teeth and have fractured crowns, your dentist may have recommended night guards near you.
TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular disorder, sometimes known as TMD, is closely related to TMJ. TMJ is an abbreviation that stands for the temporomandibular joint; it’s a hinge that connects your jaw with the temporal bones of the skull, which are situated near each ear. You can talk, chew, and yawn by using it to move your jaw up, down, and side to side.
What are Mouth Guards and How Do They Help?
Mouth guards are safety equipment made to cover and cushion the teeth, gums, and mouth’s surrounding tissues. They can be bought in a standard size from a store or customized by an orthodontist near you, and they are often constructed of a soft and flexible substance, such as silicone or thermoplastic.
Mouthguards have a variety of uses and advantages.
- Dental Protection: Mouth guards are frequently worn to protect the teeth from harm in contact sports including football, hockey, and boxing. They serve as a cushion, absorbing and spreading impact pressures that may otherwise cause soft tissue injuries, shattered teeth, cracked jaws, or other harm.
- Preventing Tooth Grinding: Some people have a condition known as bruxism when they clench or grind their teeth while they sleep. Damage to the teeth, jaw pain, and migraines may result from this. By creating a shield between the upper and lower teeth, a mouth guard worn at night can help lessen the effects of bruxism.
- Prevention: Mouth guards can also aid in the prevention of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ disorders develop when the joint that connects the jaw to the skull is stressed or misplaced, resulting in pain, popping or clicking noises, and difficulties moving the jaw. By stabilizing the jaw and lowering joint tension, a mouth guard can help treat TMJ-related symptoms.
- Soft Tissue Protection: Mouth guards shield the lips, cheeks, tongue, and teeth in addition to safeguarding the teeth. This helps avoid injuries to the mouth’s soft tissues, such as bruises or lacerations, especially when participating in sports.
- Performance Improvement: Some athletes discover that using a mouth guard helps them perform better. It is thought that a mouth guard’s proper alignment and padding may aid in better breathing during physical exercise, ease stress in the muscles, and increase general comfort.
It is significant to remember that not every mouthguard is created equal. The best fit and protection are provided by dentist-made, custom-fitted mouth guards and night guards in NE Calgary since they are created with the wearer’s mouth in mind. However, if fitted properly, boil-and-bite mouth guards from the store can also offer a respectable level of protection. To choose the mouth guard that will serve your needs the best, it is advised that you speak with a dental expert.
Reach Out to Our Dentist!
If you’re dealing with TMJ pain, it is advised that you visit a dentist for a specially-made night guard; this appliance may be the best solution for your situation.
It is always advisable that you consult an orthodontist in NE Calgary before making your mouth guard selection in order to ensure that it will best suit your needs. So please, feel free to contact us today; we look forward to assisting you!