Why A Night Guard is Good For You

If you are suffering from tooth wear, it is possible that you were suggested to wear a night guard. A night guard is a wonderful device to protect you from grinding your teeth together during the night. With this type of grinding, a night guard can be beneficial to you. This is called “bruxism”. It is a side to side movement of your jaws during your sleep mediated by your brain impulses. It is one of those that a person beside you while sleeping can distinctively hear. On average, 5% of the population suffer from a bruxism. And if you are suspecting you might be a bruxer, check with your dentist. A night guard can save your teeth.

Why A Night Guard Can Be Bad For You

I don’t mean to confuse you but if you are not a true bruxer (not grinding side to side during your sleep), your wears can be from other problems. One of the other problems is a sleep disorder or sleep apnea. Often people suffering from sleep apnea show remarkable tooth wear somewhat similar to bruxism. This can be quite confusing. But if you have some type of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your night guard can make it worse because a night guard can open your lower jaw and push the lower jaw back hence pushing your tongue posturing more behind than usual. This collapse of your tongue can lead to more incidences of sleep apnea. If you suffer from snoring, or not getting enough sleep, or your partner suspects you are suffering from a sleep apnea, it is important that you check with your medical doctor who can help you with proper diagnosis. It is important to know which is which so that you are getting a treatment for proper conditions. Please remember that sleep apnea is a medical condition, you need to consult with your medical doctor or a sleep doctor.