Wearing mouth guards in Edmonton can accomplish many goals. There are several different types of mouth guards, all of which serve different purposes. The goal of this article is to explain how obtaining night guards near you can help you with two medical conditions: bruxism and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
What is bruxism?
The term bruxism refers to the medical condition when you grind your teeth and clench your jaws. While you’ll often see this referred to as sleep bruxism, many people clench and grind their jaws and teeth during the day, not just while they sleep. Grinding is when you move your jaw back and forth while your upper and lower teeth are in contact. During clenching, your jaws don’t move back and forth, but constantly bite down against each other with the result that your teeth are under sustained pressure.
Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth as you sleep can damage the enamel and structure of your teeth with the result that you’ll experience increased sensitivity. You may also develop symptoms that extend beyond your teeth, including headaches, interrupted sleep, jaw pain, neck pain, and face pain.
How can a night guard help with bruxism?
A night guard obtained from a dental clinic in Edmonton — sometimes referred to as an occlusal splint or guard, or a bite splint — will not stop you from grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. What it does do, though, is place a physical barrier between the upper and lower teeth to protect and to cushion them from wear and to maintain a healthy space between your upper and lower teeth as you sleep.
What is TMJ syndrome?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull on both sides of your face. TMJ syndrome refers to a cluster of symptoms that are often caused by jaw injuries and by bruxism (clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth). Symptoms of TMJ syndrome, which can overlap with symptoms of bruxism, include:
- Pain in your face, neck, jaw, shoulders, and ears
- Problems opening your mouth completely and chewing
- Popping or clicking sounds when opening and closing your mouth
- A “locked” or stiff jaw
- Swelling on either or both sides of your face
- An uncomfortable bite
How can a mouth guard help with TMJ symptoms?
Wearing mouth guards in Edmonton can ease the symptoms of TMJ by placing your jaw and teeth into the best possible alignment to minimize tension in your jaw and facial muscles. Easing the tension in your jaw and muscles can help eliminate or minimize headaches, pain, and other TMJ symptoms.
What’s involved in getting mouth guards in Edmonton?
While you can purchase mouth guards from sporting goods stores, those are not appropriate for medical purposes for treating bruxism or TMJ syndrome. (Frankly, retail mouth guards are not appropriate for protecting your teeth during sports activities either, but that’s another article.) Your dental clinic in Edmonton will prepare a mouth guard specifically for your mouth by taking impressions of your teeth, preparing a mold of your teeth, and preparing a mouth guard designed to fit your teeth exactly while providing the barriers, support, and posture adjustments necessary to protect your teeth and jaw.
Consulting with a dentist about getting night guards near you can form part of a treatment plan for bruxism (sleeping and waking bruxism), TMJ syndrome, and even for breathing-related issues such as sleep apnea.
Does it seem like some of these issues are more medical than dental? That’s a fair observation and an important one. Your dentist is a critical member of your medical support team and can provide support beyond issues that affect just your teeth and gums. To the extent that issues arise beyond your dentist’s expertise, your dentist will refer you to medical specialists as appropriate. Having said that, though, if you’re concerned about any symptoms suggestive of bruxism or TMJ syndrome, discuss them with your dentist near you and ask if getting night guards near you could help.
