Guard your Dreams and Teeth: Mouth guard for Sleeping

Discover how dental mouthguards can help you stop snoring, improve sleep quality and protect your teeth. Night guards are tools for individuals who grind or clench their teeth during sleep, a habit that can lead to significant wear and tear on teeth and jaw muscles. Wearing a night guard can help alleviate jaw pain and prevent long-term dental problems, such as TMJ disorders.

Amid the fast-paced lifestyle, demanding work schedules and vibrant social scenes in bustling cities like Singapore, the standard of sleep and the length of time often diminish, resulting in noticeable health and dental implications. Mouthguards, known as night guards, are essential in maintaining oral health and overall well-being during sleep. But do you know which mouthguards are used for these issues? Let's dive into it!

Understanding Dental Issues and Sleep

Snoring is a prevalent sleep issue that impacts numerous individuals, leading to disturbances in their sleep and their partner's rest. It arises when the airflow through the mouth and nose becomes obstructed during sleep, causing the tissues in the throat to vibrate. Mandibular Advancement Mouthguards or Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) can help push the jaw and tongue to a forward position to help breathe in the air better.

Several factors can contribute to snoring, including obesity, nasal congestion, alcohol consumption, and sleeping position. Snoring is also a significant sign of sleep apnea. Understanding the causes of snoring can help individuals identify potential solutions to alleviate this issue and improve their sleep quality. 

Bruxism is another common issue that occurs when you are asleep. It can be related to misalignment or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. When you wake up from sleep, it can cause jaw joint pain or tightness in your jaw muscles. This issue can be alleviated by wearing a mouthguard at night, which aids in muscle relaxation and promotes a peaceful night's sleep. These dental guards cushion the teeth and reduce the impact of grinding, safeguarding the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles from excessive strain.

What are the benefits of using mouthguards for sleeping?

Dental mouth guards can offer several benefits for individuals who snore and grind their teeth at night. Some of the key benefits include:

• Reduced snoring frequency and intensity
• Improved sleep quality for both the individual and their partner
• Increased airflow and oxygen levels during sleep
• Enhanced daytime alertness and energy levels
• Non-invasive and comfortable solution without the need for surgery
• It helps to protect the teeth of those who clench their teeth when they sleep. 

By incorporating these mouthguards into their sleep routine, you can observe a significant improvement in your overall way of sleeping, leading to a better quality of life.

Tips for choosing the right mouthguard for sleeping

When selecting these dental mouth guards, it's essential to consider the following tips:

• Consult a dental professional who specialises in sleep medicine to ensure a proper diagnosis and customised treatment.
• Choose a mouthguard that is a customised to fit your mouth comfortably.
• Look for mouthguards made from high-quality materials that are durable and easy to clean.
• Consider the level of adjustability with custom fitted mouth guard.
• Consider any specific features or design elements that may enhance comfort and effectiveness.

There are various types of mouth guards available, each designed to protect the teeth from damage in different scenarios. In addition to night guards, sports mouth guards are crucial for protecting teeth during contact sports. Athletes who grind their teeth or engage in clenching during physical activities should consider using these guards to prevent dental injuries.

Exploring various treatment options is essential for individuals seeking relief from snoring and improved sleep quality. We can consider innovative solutions like DuraSleep and Somnodent, which are specialised mouthguards available at our clinic. These individuals can take a proactive step towards achieving a more restful and revitalising sleep experience.

Those with a habit of unconscious clenching and grinding during sleep (Night Bruxism) can benefit from DuraAir. This is indicated for those with mild to moderate teeth grinding. For heavy teeth grinders, Dura 3D and DuraMax might be more suitable. It is advised to consult with a dental professional and a sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis and personalised treatment plan, to ensure the best fit and optimal results. Choosing a durable and easy-to-clean mouthguard is crucial for long-term use and effectiveness.

By incorporating these specialised mouthguards into your sleep routine, you can experience increased airflow, oxygen levels and overall sleep quality, leading to improved daytime alertness and energy levels. However, it is important to avoid exposing these guards to hot water as it can alter their shape and reduce their effectiveness. By choosing the right mouth guard and wearing a mouth guard it consistently, you can protect your teeth and jaw from the adverse effects of grinding, clenching and impact during sports.

Visit our clinic website for more information on these innovative mouthguards and take the first step towards a more peaceful and rejuvenating sleep experience. 

Ready to book an appointment for a dental consultation? Simply leave us a message here and we will be right with you!

References

1. Randomized controlled trial of an oral appliance (SomnoDent) for sleep‐disordered breathing and cardiac function in patients with heart failure |Clin Cardiol
   https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fclc.23028

2. Snoring and its management | Karen H Calhoun ¹, Jerry Templer, Bart Patenaude 
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17133752/

3. Sleep bruxism: an overview for clinicians | H Beddis 1, M Pemberton 2, Stephen Davies|
   https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.757