If you have problems with grinding your teeth or with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), your dentist might recommend the use of a nightguard. A nightguard is a mouthguard you place in your mouth before bed, and you sleep with it in place all night long. The purpose of it is to protect your teeth and jaw from the negative effects of TMJ and grinding. If you think you could benefit from this, you should consider getting a custom mouthguard instead of one you buy at a store.
The problems with store-bought mouthguards
A lot of people turn to store-bought mouthguards primarily because they are a lot cheaper to purchase, but using one of these is not always the best option. In fact, you might end up with more problems by using one like this, simply because these types of mouthguards are not made with high-quality materials like custom mouthguards are.
If you use an over-the-counter mouthguard, you might experience several different problems. First of all, it might not offer the relief you are looking for. You might still end up clenching your jaw all night or snoring, as you might not purchase the right type of mouthguard for your needs. Secondly, you might end up with sore teeth, a sore jaw, or sore gums due to an improper fit with the mouthguard. Finally, you might end up causing your bite to change if you use a device that does not fit properly.
The benefits of a custom mouthguard
With a custom mouthguard, you will have a lot of benefits that you would not experience from an over-the-counter device. A custom mouthguard will fit your bite exactly as it should. This means that it will provide you with the exact type of relief that you are looking for. As you use a custom device, it will protect your teeth, bite, gums, and jaw, too, which means there is no risk of causing damage to your mouth.
The results of using a custom mouthguard every night
If you begin using a custom device from your dentist, you are likely to find relief from whatever problem you are experiencing. If your jaw is always sore, you might have TMJ and wearing a custom mouthguard can relieve this problem. If you snore, your custom mouthguard will reduce it. You will likely feel better from the use of a custom mouthguard, and you will find relief from the pain or problems you were experiencing.
Choosing to wear a mouthguard is a good decision if you need one, and your dentist can help you learn more about custom mouthguards.
