While you are sleeping, there is a possibility that you grind or clench your teeth. This can cause problems because of the damage it can incur. The official name is bruxism and your dentist in Tampa will notice it right away. You might not be aware of it but if someone is sleeping next to you, they might hear it. So, if they mention you grind your teeth at night, don’t be surprised if next time you visit your dentist in Tampa that they suggest wearing a night guard. Wearing a night guard will help reduce the damage caused by your teeth grinding. Speak to your dentist in Tampa about getting a night guard so that you can prevent any more damage from occurring. Below are five reasons why you should wear a night guard and how they benefit you:
1. Helps Fight Against Teeth Wear
Grinding your teeth at night will lead to your teeth wearing down. Chances are you won’t notice it but your dentist certainly will. As time goes by, your enamel will wear down and your tooth will become exposed. This can lead to more cavities, cracks, or even discoloration.
2. Alleviates Chronic Headaches
Teeth grinding or clenching can cause headaches. If you notice that you wake up with a headache, it could be because of bruxism. That is because the grinding or clenching puts pressure on your jaw, thereby causing headaches.
3. Prevent Teeth From Cracking
Wearing a night guard helps prevent your top row of teeth from grinding against your bottom row. Teeth grinding against each other apply enough pressure that they can actually crack a tooth. Cracks usually occur due to continuing grinding or clenching that puts more pressure on the teeth than they can endure.
4. Toothaches
If your tooth is hurting, it might be from grinding or clenching. This is because when the enamel gets worn down, your teeth can become sensitive and therefore hurt. There could also be other types of damage done to your teeth, but you might not be able to see them.
5. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)
TMJ affects the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles that are used for chewing. You should consult with your dentist to see if bruxism is the cause. There are many things that can cause TMJ and bruxism is one of them. The pressure that grinding and clenching causes can impact your mouth and jaw – which will result in pain.
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