Possible mouthguard complications and what to do about them

1. Slight discomfort and irritation

You might be exposed to slight discomfort and irritation when you first begin putting on mouthguards, and in some cases, it easily takes some getting accustomed to. You’ve been accustomed to sleeping without a night guard your entire life, so will feel odd at first.

When you first begin putting on mouthguards, it is a very strange feeling, but when you get used to it, it’s hard for you to go without it. When you do not wear it, your jaws feel sore when you get up and you even wake up throughout the night being cognizant that you are grinding your jaw.

If discomfort and irritation continue, or if it goes beyond discomfort and becomes ache, that’s a signal that you are required to check-in with your dentist and reassess the suit of your night guard.

2. Weak fit that triggers pain, pressure, or soreness

When you purchase an over-the-counter night guard or utilize a custom night guard that isn’t suited correctly, you may experience pain. It’s essential not to brush off this pain. If your night guard does not suit you properly, you need to get it taken care of before it results in bigger problems like shifting teeth or jaw maladjustments.

To resolve this problem, shift to a custom suit night guard if you are now utilizing one over the counter. If you already possess a custom-fit night guard that isn’t suiting properly, have another pressure done so you can get a correct fit. Sometimes ache may easily be triggered by sharp edges or a thickness that isn’t congruous with your mouth.

3. Shifting teeth

When you have a night guard that isn’t correctly suited for your mouth, you can be exposed to teeth shifting. This can actually aggravate TMJ, otherwise called Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. If you’ve ever had braces, you’ll be accustomed to the ache and soreness related to shifting teeth. This is something you should not experience with mouthguards.

If you doubt that your night guard is actually shaking your teeth, see your dentist so he or she can examine your teeth. If it is verified that your night guard is changing your teeth, you may require a different kind of night guard or you might require to have a new impression conducted to get a better fit.

4. Jaw maladjustment or pain

Although less common than some of the other possible complications, you might see that the adjustment of your jaw has switched since you started putting on a mouthguard. If you find that your jaw adjustment has switched or you’re experiencing pain in your jaw, consult with your dentist as soon as possible, as jaw maladjustment can exacerbate bruxism. This can also result in other TMJ impediments.

Sometimes mouthguards “cause[s] the posterior teeth to touch the guard’s plastic while the internal teeth barely contact the guard or do not touch it at all. The asymmetry of tooth touch with the mouthguard can result in even more clenching, grinding and TMJ difficulties.”

After consulting with your dentist, you might know that a softer (or harder) mouthguard is a better suit for you. It might also be the case that you require to have new impressions done. Fit is essential, and the sooner you take care of any adverse complications, the better off you’ll be.

The bottom line

Mouthguards are great tools for people who find themselves clutching their jaw or grinding their teeth at night. If you find yourself having any of the adverse side effects of putting on a mouthguard, you must consult with your dentist. In most cases, taking a new impression and completing the fit of your mouthguard resolves the problem.

Bruxism is the medical word for clutching or grinding your teeth and jaws. Grinding refers to shifting the jaw back and forth. Clutching refers to biting down with extra pressure for long periods of time. Bruxism is a usual condition and normally happens during sleep or times of stress. Many people do not even understand that they grind their teeth in their sleep until they are told by their partner or dentist.

Over time, grinding teeth in sleep triggers expansive injury to the structure and enamel of the teeth, which can result in decay and extra sensitivity. It can also trigger headaches, disturb your sleep, and trigger ache in the jaw, face, and neck.

Issues that may augment your chances of developing bruxism incorporate:

1. Age: Bruxism is most seen in young children.
2. Personality Type: Individuals who are normally competitive, hostile, or overactive are more likely to undergo bruxism.
3. Severe feelings: Many people unintentionally grind their teeth when under severe stress or when they feel angry or anxious.
4. Certain medicines and substances: Tobacco use, imbibing caffeine or alcohol, and certain psychiatric medicines can augment your risk of bruxism.
5. Other Health Conditions: Bruxism is often related to other conditions, such as Parkinson’s ailment, epilepsy, sleep apnea, and attention-inadequacy/hyperactivity disorder.

Although a mouthguard is not the only remedy for bruxism or temporomandibular jaw pain, it is an inexpensive, convenient, and non-invasive treatment choice. A correctly suited mouthguard switches the jaw and teeth into correct adjustment, which can relieve jaw tension, headaches, ache, and other signs of temporomandibular joint syndrome.

Overlooking your bruxism signs can result in serious dental problems and needing expensive remedies. For example, bruxism is the main cause of root canals. Individuals who grind their teeth can undergo up to 2 millimetres of enamel erosion by their 20s, which augments the risk for cavities. Jaw clutching can expose the jaw and teeth to as much as 40 minutes of great force per hour, which can set the stage for jaw and muscle aches.

Although it is probable to purchase inexpensive mouthguards online or at your local pharmacy, there are many reasons why it is worth the excessive money to visit a dental professional for a custom-fitted tool:

1. A custom-fitted night guard will guarantee that your jaw is in correct adjustment, which can contribute to TMJ jaw ache relief.
2. A custom-fitted night guard will fit correctly, which means that it will be more convenient and won’t fall out during the night.
3. Custom-fitted night guards are produced from better materials than over-the-counter types, so they usually last longer.

Conclusion

The process of buying a teeth protector for the mouth is easy and painless. The dentist takes an impression of your teeth. The impression is utilized to produce the mould that the lab will utilize to make your mouthguard out of long-lasting plastic. Once completed, the dentist will examine the guard to make sure that it fits correctly.

Then all you have to do is put on the guard as you sleep. It may feel a little strange at first, but most patients get accustomed to wearing their mouthguard quite quickly. The guard will not intervene with your breathing, and you will still be able to speak naturally. Most people who complain about their mouthguard being inconvenient are either putting on an over-the-counter tool or one that was not fitted correctly.