What is Bruxism?
Commonly known as teeth grinding, it is the application of extraordinary force between the teeth as a result of involuntary clenching of the jaw muscles during sleep. Clenching can also happen during the day.
Why and How it Occure?
Although the reasons are not known exactly, it can occur most in stressful situations. For this reason, it is also described as a modern age disease. It is more common in meticulous, aggressive, hasty, sensitive people.
Diagnosis
The majority of patients are unaware that they have bruxism. Symptoms,
Tooth erosion
Flattening of teeth surfaces
Pain in chewing muscles, especially in the morning
Headache
Clicking sounds in the jaw joint
Clicking sounds heard by the person lying next to you
What is Night Guard?
A night guard is a dental appliance designed to be worn while sleeping. It is typically made of plastic and is custom-fitted to a patient's teeth. Night guards are used to protect teeth from damage caused by clenching or grinding (bruxism) during sleep. They can also be used to alleviate pain caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Night guards work by creating a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, absorbing the pressure caused by clenching or grinding, and preventing wear and tear on the teeth.
Preperation of Night Guard?
Night guards, also known as occlusal guards or bite splints, are custom-made dental devices that are designed to protect the teeth and jaw from grinding or clenching during sleep.
To prepare a night guard, a dental professional will take an impression of the patient's teeth using a dental putty. The impression is then sent to a dental laboratory where the night guard is fabricated using a special material that is durable and comfortable to wear.
Once the night guard is ready, the patient will return to the dental office for a fitting. The dental professional will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the night guard fits properly and is comfortable to wear. The patient will be instructed on how to properly care for and use the night guard, and may be advised to wear it nightly or as needed.
It's important to note that night guards are customized to fit the individual patient's mouth and teeth, so it's important to have them made by a dental professional to ensure proper fit and protection.
If you wake up with soreness in your jaw, headaches, or your partner complains about your teeth grinding or clenching sounds, you may need a night guard. A dentist can examine your teeth and recommend the best course of treatment.
A night guard is designed to be worn during sleep. It is not recommended to wear it during the day, as it may affect your speech and cause discomfort.
A night guard can help prevent damage to teeth and reduce the symptoms associated with teeth grinding, but it may not stop the actual grinding. It is important to address the underlying cause of teeth grinding, such as stress or anxiety.
If the teeth grinding continues, the night plates can be abraded over time and even break. In such cases the plate needs to be renewed.
It is normal for the patient to feel uncomfortable with the night plate. You will get used to it in time. It may slightly squeeze your teeth. However, if you feel any stress on your teeth after a week, please contact your dentist.
You should use your night plates regularly from 3 to 6 months according to your dentists recommendation and then visit her/him to check-up. Your dentist will decide whether you should continue to use these plates or not after the examination.
Causes
The causes are not fully known but it can occur in the most stressful situations. For this reason, it is called a modern-day disease. It is seen more often in impatient, aggressive, hasty, sensitive people.
Effects
Abrasion of the enamel, cracks or fractures in teeth, sensitivity in teeth due to tooth erosion, damage in jaw joints, locked jaw in advanced cases, sleep disruption, fatigue, etc.
For a definite treatment, the detection and treatment of underlying psychological problems is of the utmost importance. The most common method used to minimize teeth grinding is night bite plates made of hard plastic. In some cases, muscle relaxants may also be prescribed to the patient for a certain period of time.
Night guards are typically used to protect the teeth from grinding and clenching during sleep. They can also be used to alleviate symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or to protect dental work such as crowns or veneers.
Night guards should be used at night during sleep, or as directed by a dentist. They are typically custom-made by a dentist to fit the patient's teeth and bite. The guard should fit snugly over the teeth and be comfortable to wear.
If you need to drink water at night, there is no need to remove the plate. You should remove it before drinking sugared or acidic beverages and eating anything.
Before using a night guard, it's important to clean the teeth and the guard properly. The guard should be rinsed with cold water and cleaned with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. It's also important to store the night guard in a cool, dry place and to replace it periodically as recommended by the dentist.
If the night guard causes discomfort or interferes with sleep, it's important to consult with a dentist for adjustments or a possible replacement.
The solutions used for cleaning removable dentures can be used to clean these plates. If such a solution is not available, it should be rinsed daily with water. Certain ingredients in the toothpaste can cause scratches on the plate and cause bacteria to form.
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