If you suffer from chronic or occasional headaches, then you know that sometimes the cause of headaches can be difficult to nail down. While there are many causes of headaches, an estimated 80% of all headaches occur from muscle tension, the main type of which results from dental stress and tooth grinding. Stress and anxiety in our daily lives might not show itself during our waking hours, but while we sleep this stress can manifest itself in the form of teeth clenching or nighttime grinding. According to research published by the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, clenching your teeth during sleep is about equal to putting 300 pounds of force directly on your teeth. All of that stress not only causes headaches, but can wear down the enamel or cusps on your teeth, leading to periodontics earlier in life.
Teeth grinding or clenching is more common than you think. According to the American Sleep Association, 10% of adults and 15% of children likely grind their teeth at night. While many people believe that they practice good dental hygiene and oral care habits, nighttime teeth grinding can often go overlooked, especially in individuals who sleep alone. If you suffer from headaches, jaw pain or stiffness, or soreness in your gums, you might be a good candidate for dental night guards.
Night guards are clear trays that are custom-molded to the shape of your teeth. Made from a soft plastic or silicon compound, good quality night guards can last for years when properly cared for. Night guards prevent your top and bottom teeth from coming into contact with one another, and are soft enough to absorb the pressure from clenched jaws. Users of dental night guards report feeling more rested upon waking up, and most report that their headaches subsided within just a few days of beginning to use night guards. A qualified dentist can mold custom night guards in a matter of minutes, and some night guard systems can even be made from home.
Sometimes brushing, flossing, and other oral hygiene habits just aren’t enough. While we can take good care of our teeth while we’re awake, it’s a different story while we’re asleep. We spend a third of our lives sleeping – do you want your teeth to go unprotected during all of that time? To keep your smile healthy and your head ache-free, look into dental night guards today.
