How Nightguards Work to Promote Better Sleep

Are you having a hard time sleeping due to bruxism, TMJ pain, or obstructive sleep apnea symptoms? A nightguard may be able to help. Nightguards (mouthguards) are plastic, retainer-like devices worn over your teeth to help manage symptoms of bruxism, TMJ, sleep apnea, and other disorders so you can get quality sleep. At the Family Dental Center of Manteca in Manteca, California, we can customize nightguards for your use. 

How Nightguards Work

When worn, nightguards form a barrier between your upper and lower teeth to keep them from clenching or grinding as you sleep. With less teeth grinding, you can get better sleep. Nightguards can also relieve jaw tension and pain caused by constantly grinding your teeth.    

Nightguards to Suit Your Needs

Although nightguards are most commonly used for bruxism, there are different types to suit various needs. In addition to treating bruxism, nightguards can be used to manage TMJ pain or sleep apnea symptoms to promote better sleep. Here are a few ways in which nightguards can be beneficial to you:

• Relieve snoring – Mouthguards can help reposition your jaw to a more comfortable position to eliminate loud snoring that can interrupt your sleep.
• Improve breathing –If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you can get a custom OSA mouthguard designed by a sleep apnea dentist near you. These mouthguards shift your jaw forward while you sleep to improve your breathing. An OSA mouthguard can help you get quality sleep by eliminating the obstructions in your breathing.
• Relieve TMJ pain – TMJ nightguards keep your jaw in proper alignment to ease jaw tension that can cause pain. They keep your teeth from clenching and grinding and help relax your jaw and facial muscles so you feel less discomfort and pain. With less pain, you’ll be able to get the rest that you need.

Nightguards Near Me

Contact Dr. Mircea Mitu from the Family Dental Center of Manteca in Manteca, CA, at (209) 420-1205 to learn more about nightguards and their use.