Snoring, teeth grinding & TMJD disorder
Relieving pain and promoting better sleep with dental night guards in Rotherham
Custom dental night guards at Wickersley Dental and Implant Practice
Did you know that your dentist can help with snoring and teeth grinding problems? At Wickersley Dental and Implant Practice, we work with a dental lab to offer our Yorkshire patients custom-made night guards to alleviate the noise of snoring and the pain of grinding. Made using your dental impressions, a dental night guard fits over your teeth precisely and comfortably. Night guards can work in different ways, cushioning teeth against the pressures of grinding, or holding your jaw in the right position to prevent snoring – so you and your partner can finally enjoy a peaceful night’s rest.
Snoring solutions in Rotherham
Snoring happens when the muscle in your airway relaxes and closes slightly while you’re asleep, creating a smaller space through which inhaled air has to travel. This causes the loud vibration we know as snoring. A dental snoring device will hold your jaw in the correct position to keep your airway open – so it’s bye bye snoring, and hello to a proper night’s sleep! If you come to Wickersley Dental and Implant Practice with concerns about your snoring, we’ll also screen you for sleep apnoea, a more serious condition that may require specialist treatment.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) & TMJD
If you often wake in the morning with pain in your jaw or neck, or a headache, it’s likely you’ll have been clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth during the night. You may also notice that you get these symptoms when you’re stressed or focused on a task at work. What you’re experiencing are the symptoms of bruxism – and if left untreated, this can lead to serious tooth wear.
Around a third of us suffer with bruxism and its symptoms, which are collectively referred to as TMJD, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Fortunately, you can alleviate those symptoms at Wickersley Dental and Implant Practice with a bespoke dental night guard. While the night guard provides a comfortable, cushioning barrier to reduce pain and protect your teeth, your dentist will also advise you to look at the root causes of your problem and consult your GP for practical solutions to relieving stress.
FAQs
How can a night guard help me stop grinding my teeth?
A night guard places a cushioning barrier between your teeth, alleviating the symptoms of bruxism.
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How does a night guard prevent snoring?
A bespoke dental night guard supports the lower jaw in a forward position, which keeps the airway open. This prevents the tongue falling back onto the soft palate, which in turn prevents snoring.
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What is the difference between snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder, characterised by abnormal pauses in breathing (apnoeas) or abnormally low breathing (hypopnoeas), during sleep. OSA symptoms always include loud snoring. Regular snoring, however, does not always indicate you have sleep apnoea. Your dentist will be able to identify how best to help you.
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How is a night guard made?
You’ll need to sit for dental impressions, which will be sent to a dental lab to create your custom mouth guard. Once it’s ready, you’ll need to return to the practice to collect your night guard, try it on and receive instructions on how to use it.
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How long will my night guard last?
It should last at least a couple of years of constant use, depending on the amount of stress it’s put under. Bring your night guard with you to your regular dental check-ups so that your dentist can assess its condition.
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Can I wear a sports guard instead of a night guard to alleviate bruxism?
No. Night guards and sports guards offer protection from different kinds of forces, and a sports guard is likely to feel extremely uncomfortable if worn at night.
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