People spend every day taking care of their teeth. However, it’s often at night that a lot of damage is done. You may grind your teeth while asleep, for example, which leads to a significant amount of oral health issues. As a solution, dentists recommend night guards. These custom, retainer-like prosthetics protect your teeth and will ensure a healthy smile.

Why You Should Wear a Dental Night Guard

1. Protecting Enamel

The protective enamel layer on your teeth prevents decay-causing bacteria from breaking in and causing cavities and root infections. When you grind your teeth, you slowly wear down this enamel layer. Once gone, your teeth are vulnerable to these bacteria. Night guards are made of a durable plastic and molded into your teeth. When you grind, they create a protective barrier to preserve the enamel.

2. Preventing Head & Jaw Pain

The act of grinding and clenching for extended periods is hard on your jaw joint. It also stresses the surrounding tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Many people wake up with headaches or pain where their jaw meets their skull. While they don’t stop grinding, night guards will help keep your jaw aligned. The grinding motion can be less intense, and your muscles and tissues won’t stress so much as to cause pain.

3. Preserving Your Bite

Holding your jaw in an unnatural position or clenching for long periods can slowly change your bite. Your jaw may no longer sit evenly with the above teeth, making it more difficult to eat and even impact your speech. Night guards are custom-fitted to your mouth and will hold your teeth in the proper bite position while you’re asleep. This is why they’re always recommended over generic store-bought options that are one-size-fits-all.

If you want to discuss a night guard with a dentist, turn to the office of John D. Mainwaring, DDS. This Orange, CT, practice offers a wide range of dental care services. Drs. Mainwaring, Gill, and Karkut provide personalized care for general dentistry and cosmetic needs. Whether you’re focused on preventive care or want to discuss dental implants and other solutions, call (203) 799-6624 today. Visit their website if you want to learn more about their services.