A night guard is a specialized device made of plastic that you put on your teeth during sleep. Its main task is to protect the teeth and temporomandibular joints from the negative effects of jaw clenching and teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. The temporomandibular joint is the joint connecting your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull (temporal bone) on each side of your head, just in front of your ears. Although it may seem like a simple tool, the night guard has many important functions, both therapeutic and preventive.
Protection Against Tooth Abrasion
One of the main tasks of the guard is to protect the enamel from excessive abrasion. People suffering from bruxism involuntarily clench or grind their teeth during sleep. This can lead to significant damage to the surface of the teeth, their abrasion, cracks, and even fractures. The night guard creates a barrier between the upper and lower dental arches, preventing direct contact and dispersing the force of pressure.
Reduced Muscle Tension
Bruxism is often associated with excessive tension in the chewing muscles, especially the masticatory muscle. Prolonged overload of these muscles can lead to pain, as well as radiating to the head, neck, or nape of the neck. The mouthguard helps to relax the jaw muscles and reduce involuntary jaw clenching, providing relief to people suffering from tension headaches.
Temporomandibular Joint Protection
Excessive tension and forces generated by teeth grinding affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to its overload, pain when opening the mouth, popping or popping. Long-term untreated TMJ disorders can lead to difficulties with speaking, eating, and daily functioning. The mouthguard helps to relieve the joint and stabilize its work during the night's rest.
Limiting Further Dental Complications
In addition to mechanical damage to the enamel, bruxism can also cause gum recession, loosening of teeth, and even loss of implants or prosthetic crowns. Regular use of the mouthguard can prevent these complications and preserve the results of dental treatment, including orthodontic and prosthetic.
Supporting Orthodontic or Prosthetic Treatment
In patients after orthodontic treatment or with a rebuilt bite, a night splint can perform a stabilizing function. It helps maintain the new position of the teeth and protects the prosthetic appliance or veneers from damage. In the case of implants, it protects against mechanical overload, which could lead to their loosening or damage to the bone surrounding the implant.
Impact on Sleep Quality and Comfort of Life
Although the overlay does not treat the cause of bruxism (which may be related to anxiety, stress, malocclusion, or neurological problems), it can significantly improve the patient's sleep comfort and well-being. People who wear a mouthguard often report less jaw pain, fewer headaches in the morning, and even improved sleep quality.
Diagnostic Role of the Mouthguard
In some cases, dentists also use the mouthguard for diagnostics - if the splint shows signs of intensive abrasion, this can confirm the presence of bruxism, even if the patient was not aware of it. This is helpful in further treatment planning.
In Conclusion
A night mouthguard is a simple but extremely effective tool in the prevention and treatment of many problems related to bruxism and occlusal overload. It protects teeth, muscles, and joints, reduces pain symptoms, supports orthodontic treatment, and improves the quality of life. However, in order to fulfill its role, it should be individually fitted by a specialist - mouthguards purchased without a prescription are often less effective and can do more harm than good.