Nightguards

Nightguards are appliances that may be used to help with sleep bruxism or chronic headaches.

Sleep bruxism is a term used to describe people who clench or grind their teeth at night, with one study finding that about 8.6% of people suffer from it. Nightguards are an option to help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. These devices are worn when you sleep and can help lessen the wear and tear on your teeth and help prevent fractures.

Chronic “tension headaches,” are often the result of long-lasting spasming in the jaw and neck muscles. Nightguards and bite splints may be able to offer you some relief in these situations. They offer your jaw a place to rest and shut against, preventing your jaw muscle from contracting at maximum force.

Occlusal splints, or bite splints, tend to be worn all the time. These appliances can be used to help manage problems that may be caused by jaw issues, such as neck aches or headaches.

Whether or not a nightguard is right for you will depend on your circumstances. If you are having issues with teeth grinding or chronic headaches, talk with Dr. Kinn to start the process of finding out what might be causing your problem as well as the best course of treatment.