How a Night Guard Can Help Alleviate Pain from TMJ

A dental night guard is a hard acrylic device used to treat TMJ problems. It realigns your jaw during sleep, relieving stress on the joint. A regular, over-the-counter mouth guard will not hold your jaw in place while you sleep, so it is advisable to visit the dentist for a custom-fitted night guard.

Getting a dental night mouth

Dental night guards are made to order. The ideal solution for TMJ is custom-fitted night guards, as they help correct issues with the TMJ without interfering with breathing during sleep. Nightguards made of acrylic are typically thin and contoured to the top or bottom row of teeth. Getting a night guard from the dentist typically requires an oral evaluation. The dentist will examine the patient's mouth to see whether they are biting excessively, suffer from teeth grinding or clenching, and if the bite or jaw is incorrectly aligned. While patients sleep, the dental night guard will reposition the jaw properly and alleviate discomfort.

How a nightguard treats TMJ issues

TMJ disorder develops when the jaw is not positioned properly, putting pressure on and potentially tearing the joint that controls the jaw muscles. This may cause discomfort and pain in the jaw joint and make chewing or biting unbearable. Nightguards are an excellent method to alleviate discomfort and improve patient's quality of life.

A nightguard may help to relieve jaw pain

The discomfort that occurs with TMJ is sometimes related to the contractions of jaw muscles. A nightguard prevents clenching and grinding by keeping the teeth slightly apart. The muscles relax, allowing the strain on the painful joint to decrease. The following are some symptoms that a night guard alleviates:

Clicking and popping: This can be upsetting, uncomfortable, and extremely loud. A nightguard corrects the bite to the point where the jaw muscles may relax.

Lockjaw: The oral appliance aids the relaxation of facial muscles. Nightguards keep the jaw slightly open, reducing muscular spasms, the primary cause of TMJ-related jaw locking.

Teeth grinding: Teeth grinding can worsen jaw issues, causing issues like broken teeth and gum recession.

Nightguards help to relieve stress

It is essential to relax and recover from TMJ's unpleasant symptoms. The nightguard's design separates the teeth, minimizing strain in the mouth and jaw and protecting the teeth from deterioration and undue stress. A nightguard helps with recovery during sleep, preventing patients from straining their jaw and teeth at night.

Although nightguards are most often used at night, they may also be worn during the day. For those who clench or grind their teeth unintentionally during the day, this may help. A nightguard will help relax the jaws and address the situation. The added benefit is that a nightguard can also help prevent tooth damage during sports.

Final note

If you have TMJ disorder, it is critical to choose the right night guard for you. Customizing yours reduces further pain caused by the disorder. To guarantee a perfect fit for your nightguards, see a general dentist. Contact the dental office for a consultation and start your journey toward a healthy mouth.

Request an appointment here: https://familydentistphoenix.com or call Phoenix Family Dentistry at (602) 547-9007 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.