7 Positive Impacts of Wearing a Night Guard

A lot of us unknowingly carry our stress from the day into our sleep time. This stress can manifest as teeth grinding or clenching that we often aren’t aware of until we wake up and notice dull, but nagging jaw pain or a tooth that looks a bit more worn than it used to be. To keep your smile happy and healthy, our Orange Park dentist may recommend you have a night guard in place before you rest your head for the night.

Here are 7 reasons why it’s wise to invest in a custom night guard.

1. Prevention of Long-Term Tooth Damage

One of the most significant benefits of wearing a night guard is its ability to prevent gradual but serious tooth damage. Constant grinding wears down the enamel, which is the protective outer layer of your teeth. Once enamel is worn away, it doesn’t regenerate, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay, fractures, and sensitivity. A night guard acts as a protective barrier, reducing the pressure on your teeth and preventing the grinding that leads to enamel erosion. Over time, this protection can save you from having to undergo certain procedures like dental crowns, tooth-colored fillings, or even tooth extractions.

2. Reduced Jaw Pain All Around

Bruxism doesn’t just affect your teeth—it can also lead to problems with the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which connect your jaw to your skull. Many patients who grind or clench their teeth at night wake up with soreness in their jaw, headaches, or even ear pain. Over the long term, this can result in TMJ disorders, which can cause chronic pain and restricted jaw movement.

A custom-fitted night guard helps alleviate the strain on the joints by keeping your jaw in a relaxed position while you sleep. This can significantly reduce muscle tension and inflammation, ultimately improving jaw alignment. Patients who consistently use night guards often report a substantial decrease in TMJ-related pain, reducing the need for additional therapies or surgeries.

3. Dental Restoration Protection

If you have dental work such as crowns, bridges, veneers, or dental implants, a night guard can protect these investments. Grinding places immense pressure on these restorations, causing them to crack or break prematurely. By using a night guard, you can extend the lifespan of your restorations, ensuring that it remains intact for years. This not only saves money but also reduces the need for frequent visits to our Orange Park, FL, dental office to repair damaged elements of your smile.

4. Improved Sleep Quality

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can interrupt your sleep cycle, causing you to wake up multiple times during the night. This fragmented sleep often results in feeling groggy and tired the next day, which can impact your overall quality of life. Wearing a night guard can reduce these interruptions, allowing you to get a more restful night’s sleep. Over the long term, improved sleep can lead to better mental clarity, mood, and overall health.

5. Disappearance of Related Headaches or Facial Pain

Chronic bruxism can lead to frequent headaches, especially in the morning, as well as pain in the temples and facial muscles. The repetitive motion of grinding puts excessive strain on the muscles around the head and face, leading to tension headaches. A night guard cushions the teeth, absorbs the pressure, and prevents overuse of the jaw muscles. As a result, many people experience fewer headaches and less facial discomfort over time.

6. Savings on Future Dental Treatments

Addressing teeth grinding and jaw clenching early with a custom night guard can save you money in the long run. The cost of repairing worn-down teeth or something like a broken dental crown isn’t nothing. Night guards are a proactive solution that can help you avoid these expenses by protecting your teeth and jaw from further damage. While there is the upfront cost of a custom night guard, it pales in comparison to the potential expenses of restorative dental treatments down the road.

7. Max Comfort Thanks to Customized Fit

While over-the-counter night guards are available, they often don’t provide the same level of protection and comfort as one from our Orange Park family dentist. A night guard designed specifically for your mouth ensures a better fit, making it easier to wear consistently. Custom night guards are also crafted to align your bite correctly, reducing the risk of exacerbating any existing jaw issues. The comfort of a well-fitted night guard encourages regular use, which is crucial for achieving long-term benefits.

Let’s Talk Night Guards 

If you’re ready to make a change and think adding a night guard to your bedtime routine would help, our dentist in Orange Park serving Greater Jacksonville, FL, would love to have a conversation. Call Marino Family Dentistry today at (904) 269-2185 to request an appointment.