7 Benefits of Wearing a Mouth Guard

You may have seen advertisements for mouth guards to wear at night, but what exactly are they for?

Wearing a device in your mouth while you sleep may seem uncomfortable and intimidating. However, these dental heroes are both comfortable and offer many benefits.

Whether or not you’re aware of any potential dental issues you may have, anyone can benefit from wearing a mouth guard.

Why?

Here are 7 of the most important benefits of wearing a mouth guard.

1. Helps with Jaw Pain and Stiffness

If you ever experience jaw pain or stiffness in your facial muscles (particularly when you wake up), you might wonder why.

More than likely you are clenching your jaw while you sleep or during the day, even when you don’t even notice.

Chronic jaw clenching can usually lead to conditions known as TMD, which is the acronym for temporomandibular disorders. It’s also sometimes referred to as TMJ.

Over time, symptoms are likely to become worse as the joints in your jaw become misaligned, causing symptoms like clicking, grinding, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth.

It’s common to develop arthritis in the jaw as the flexible cartilage wears down, resulting in pain and inflammation that reduces mobility.

Wearing a mouth guard helps prevent you from unintentional jaw clenching and can reduce or eliminate existing pain that isn’t a result of serious conditions.

2. Prevents Grinding Teeth

Another great reason to wear a mouth guard is to prevent you from grinding your teeth (called bruxism).

Perhaps you’re aware of a habit during the day, but most people who grind their teeth do so at night when they have no idea it’s happening.

Likely triggered by stress, this can be a tough habit to break that can lead to more serious problems in the long run.

For example, grinding your teeth can wear them down and damage the enamel you need to protect your teeth from cavities and infections.

You can avoid damaging your teeth and gums by wearing a mouth guard to prevent grinding in the first place.

3. Maintains Tooth Alignment

Over time, our teeth naturally shift. But if you clench or grind, you’re likely to see your teeth becoming gradually more crooked and crowded.

It’s not just a cosmetic concern, either. Misaligned or overly crowded teeth often harbor more plaque and bacteria because they are more difficult to properly clean. This makes you more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay.

Wearing a mouth guard can help keep your teeth in place and also prevent jaw clenching and tooth grinding that makes shifting teeth worse.

4. Prevents Headaches

Do you have frequent headaches and find yourself reaching for medicine more often than you feel you should?

You might be unintentionally clenching your jaw or the muscles that move your mouth open and closed.

Headaches can also be caused by grinding your teeth or a jaw alignment issue.

Mouthguards are a great way to avoid headaches that result from these common issues.

5. Healthier Sleep

You might be surprised to know that clenching or grinding your teeth at night actually disrupts the quality of rest that you get, even if it doesn’t wake you up.

Sleep is a crucial part of maintaining your physical and mental wellness.

Not sleeping well can contribute to conditions like weight gain and increase your risk for developing diabetes. It can also weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to illnesses.

It can also lead to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. These conditions can potentially worsen over time and affect your overall well-being.

Wearing a mouth guard so you don’t clench or grind your teeth at night will help your body get the most optimal quality of rest.

6. Can Help with Snoring

Depending on the cause and severity of your snoring issue, a mouth guard may be helpful in reducing or eliminating the problem.

Certain mouth guards move your jaw forward and keep your throat more open. This may reduce the frequency of your snoring.

Specialized mouth guards are available for people who suffer from sleep apnea as an alternative to a Cpap machine, if it’s an appropriate option for the individual.

Speak with your doctor about the cause of your snoring and ask about a mouth guard as a possible solution.

7. Helps Avoid Expensive Dental and Medical Procedures

Regardless of whether or not you experience problematic symptoms, wearing a mouth guard is still a good idea.

Why wear a mouthguard if you don’t have any concerns?

Nobody wants to have painful and expensive dental or medical procedures if they can be avoided. Wearing a mouthguard can help prevent any of the above issues before they ever begin.