5 Signs You Need a Night Guard for Teeth
What should I do first?
With COVID-19 restrictions finally easing enough to resemble “normal,” we can begin to check-off our list of things to do and people to see. First on that list should be visiting a dentist.
A dentist? Yes! Being locked away, for our health and that of others, has kept us away from health checkups.
After living through a year of stress our teeth may have been victims, even unknowingly so. From comfort eating to teeth grinding, the way we cope varies. So read on to find out 5 reasons why you should ask your dentist about a night guard for teeth.
1. Night Guard for Teeth with Chips
If you wake up to find out you chipped a tooth, but have no explanation for it, then you either had a wild night or suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching). Multiple worn or chipped teeth teeth usually point to teeth grinding or clenching habits.
A visit to the dentist can begin with the repair of the chip and end with your walking out the door with a night guard for protection against future fractures of teeth that may occur. The night guard should help save you from broken teeth, at least while dreaming.
2. Hard Pill to Swallow
One side-effect many antidepressants share is teeth grinding.
A night guard may be the best option to prevent tooth wear. You should consult your dentist and prescriber to find the best option for you though.
3. Waking-up to Pain
This pain isn’t a result of a fun night out. It is a constant pain that seems to greet you every morning. A possible side-effect of sleep bruxism, or grinding in your sleep.
Your dentist will end up giving you a night guard to protect your teeth from wear and potential fractures.
4. Grinding Away
It could be finals, a deadline, or the stresses of 2020 in general, but more of us are feeling the stress and anxiety now more than ever. A manifestation of stress can be teeth grinding and clenching.
Chronic grinding can also be the culprit. Using a night guard will not stop you from grinding, but it will prevent damage.
5. Avoid the Pain
Here at The Bondi Dentist, we offer a range of services from preventative care, restorative, even cosmetic. We can meet your needs and those of your families.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJD, is caused by injury, poor posture, stress, even arthritis. It results in teeth grinding and clenching. If you have suffered from any of the aforementioned conditions let your dentist know.
Save yourself time, money, and pain.
Selfie Ready
Sharing our lives online is nothing new. With the trend in video blogging or live streaming, filters may not always be an option. A healthy bright smile is the best accessory.
Bruxism isn’t something we notice at first clench. Some of us may not even know until we go in for our checkup, in which case damage may be significant depending on the severity.
So, if you notice yourself grinding your teeth, waking up with a headache, suffer from chipped teeth, or take antidepressants; talk to your dentist and see if a night guard for your teeth is right for you.
Interested in learning about maintaining a healthy smile with a night guard for teeth? Contact us for a consultation.