Having Trouble Sleeping? How a Night Guard Might Help

Last updated 1 year ago

Good sleep habits are essential to a healthy lifestyle. Poor sleep can have a variety of causes, several of which can be related to your teeth and mouth. Whether you’re losing sleep due to headaches and jaw discomfort or simply waking up feeling tired, a mouth guard or oral appliance can be helpful in getting a good night’s rest again.

Find Comfort from Bruxism
If you’re having trouble sleeping due to headaches or jaw pain, you might be grinding your teeth while you sleep. Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth, an involuntary habit with a wide range of causes, including stress. Because sleep bruxism is involuntary, it can be difficult to control. Many people find that a night guard can be helpful in alleviating the strain of nighttime jaw clenching. These plastic appliances form a barrier between the teeth, reducing the pressure on your teeth and jaw muscles. This protects your teeth’s enamel and eliminates headaches due to jaw pain.

Discover Relief from Sleep Apnea
Another cause of poor sleep is sleep apnea, a condition where the airway becomes temporarily blocked during sleep, cutting off the oxygen supply to your body. Sleep apnea can be potentially dangerous. In some cases, a night guard can help. Resembling a sports mouth guard, these plastic apparatuses treat mildly obstructive sleep apnea by repositioning the tongue and lower jaw forward while stabilizing the soft palate. Many of these sleep apnea mouth guards also minimize snoring. This is a less-obtrusive alternative to the traditional face mask treatment for sleep apnea.

For both conditions, there are many designs of mouth guards available. Your dentist can help you select one to best meet your individual needs. To learn more about how a mouth guard can help you sleep better, make an appointment with Dr. Stuart Feurstein, DMD. Dr. Feurstein also specializes in cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry for the entire family. To learn more about our services, call (914) 752-4239 or contact us online.