Dental care is all about understanding oral threats and doing your best to fend off issues, but unfortunately, it can be hard to do that when you are asleep. However, by prescribing a custom night guard, your dentist can help you ward off dental damage. Here are three benefits of wearing a night guard, and why you might never go back to sleeping without one. 

How a Night Guard Can Help

Tooth & Soft Tissue Protection

One of the primary roles of night guards is protecting your teeth from impact due to grinding, clenching, or chewing. Because you might move your mouth when you sleep, working with your dentist to have one created could help you prevent tooth fractures, chips, oral tissue lacerations, and a bitten tongue. Wearing one allows you to sleep easier—and avoid surprise dental expenses. 

Better Breathing 

Night guards are also commonly prescribed by dentists for problems like sleep apnea since they help people breathe better at night. Depending on what you are struggling with, your night guard could be designed to prop open your mouth, encouraging a steady flow of oxygen as you sleep. They give you a better chance at a restful night and minimize issues like morning headaches. 

Jaw Pain Prevention

If you don’t have a perfect bite, simply closing your mouth as you sleep could lead to muscle tension and jaw pain, which interferes with proper eating and talking during the day. Moreover, dentists use night guards to realign the jaw as you sleep, improving your bite and eliminating other complicating factors.

If you have been struggling with nighttime grinding, headaches, or trouble sleeping, contact Lisa Tatum, DDS. With a focus on patient care and years of experience, this dentist can help with everything from night guards and reconstructive procedures to crowns and porcelain veneers. To start on the path to a better smile, make an appointment today by calling (540) 943-0973. You can also learn more about the practice by visiting online.