In this article we will explain to you the treatment for snoring and bruxism by using the Night mouth guard for grinding teeth and anti-snoring device. 

Before we move on to the treatment part, we believe it is essential to make ourselves a little aware of the basics of bruxism and snoring and why such conditions may affect you.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is a scientific terminology that dental and medical professionals use to describe habitual teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Bruxism takes shape when an individual unknowingly grinds their upper and lower teeth or clenches the jaw.

Bruxism can further be classified as awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. Scientific studies have shown that sleep bruxism is more common than awake bruxism. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can be found in any age group; however, it is seen to most commonly affect children, adolescents and older adults (senior citizens).

What causes bruxism?

The leading cause of bruxism is stress. Stress can manifest in many ways. It can be mental, emotional or even physical. Stress can give rise to chronic or even acute bruxism. Chronic bruxism is the term used for constant and long-standing teeth grinding. Whereas acute bruxism is the name given to short-term teeth grinding, which can be a result of an acute stressor. Acute bruxism can be seen in cases where someone is stressed due to a death in the family, professional problems, etc.

A recent study has also suggested that the emergence of the Covid-19 virus and the lockdown has also been significant reasons for teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

A bad bite, poor oral hygiene, crooked teeth, or a faulty dental filling and prosthesis can also give rise to bruxism. Conditions such as sleep apnea (covered later in the article) and snoring can also be the reason for chronic bruxism. Situational anxiety, sleeping disorders, and other neurologic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, depression, and anxiety can also be a reason for teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Certain medications like anti-depressants and SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can also contribute to teeth grinding. Smoking, excessive caffeine consumption and usage of recreational drugs have also been linked to teeth grinding.

Signs and symptoms of Bruxism

There are certain signs and symptoms that may pin-point teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

• Jaw pain that starts from the front of the ear and can radiate to the nape of the neck, upper back and forehead.
• Inability to open the mouth in the morning.
• Morning headaches that subside as the day passes on.
• Troubled sleep.
• Worn out and flattened teeth edges.
• Your teeth look shorter than they used to.
• Chipped or cracked teeth.
• Your partner or roommate complains about grinding and clicking sounds at night.
• You have developed teeth sensitivity.

If you happen to suffer from any of the above-given symptoms, it may suggest that you have bruxism. We recommend a complete oral health check-up to get a proper diagnosis and decide if you may need a night mouth guard for grinding teeth.

If you already present these symptoms in a pronounced way we invite you to read the articles in the restoration category where we discuss how complete dental rehabilitation can be effectively managed.

Now that you know about bruxism, it is time we shift our focus to snoring.

What is snoring?

Snoring can be simply described as the sound of resistance in the upper airway. Many people believe that snoring comes from the nose. However, it does not; it arises from the upper airway and is the sound that is produced as the air passes through a blocked airway. This passage of air causes the tissues to vibrate, which produces the sound typically known as snoring.

What causes snoring?

Do you know that almost 50% of the world’s population tends to snore? That means most of you reading this article are likely to snore when you sleep.

So, what exactly causes one to snore?

Snoring can be due to several factors that include the anatomical structure of your mouth and sinus, lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, allergies, colds, and being obese.

When we sleep, the muscles in the roof of our mouth, tongue and throat relax. Sometimes, they relax way too much and partially block your airway. When the air passes through this area, the tissues vibrate, producing sound. The more severe the obstruction, the narrower the airway becomes, leading to forceful airflow and increased snoring.

Some factors, such as having a lower positioned and thick soft palate, narrow the airway, which leads to snoring. In people who are overweight, there is the presence of extra fat tissue in the back of the throat, which leads to narrow airways. In cases where the uvula (the tissue which hangs at the back of the mouth) is elongated can also constrict the airway, thus giving rise to snoring.

Allergies, chronic cough and cold, deviated nasal septum, and nasal polyps can also contribute to the narrowing of the airway, which finally results in snoring. Lack of sleep can also promote snoring. Sleep position, especially when you sleep on the back, can also aggravate snoring. Snoring is typically the loudest when you sleep on your back.

Another condition which can lead to snoring is Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder which results in the stoppage of breathing while you are asleep. It can happen once or twice and even multiple times through the night.

How do mouthguards help with teeth grinding?

Night mouth guard for grinding teeth are made of medical-grade plastic, which is compatible with the oral environment and ensures comfort. A mouthguard creates a barrier between the upper and lower teeth and prevents them from coming in contact while you sleep. Mouthguards prevent symptoms of bruxism, such as teeth grinding, and protect your teeth from further damage. They relieve jaw pain and headaches and help you lead a more comfortable life and sleep properly.

Mouthguards for anti-snoring devices

Mouthguards can also eliminate sleep apnea and subsequent snoring. While choosing an anti-snoring device, it is important to know what they do and ensure it is comfortable as it will encourage you to wear it regularly. Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and Tongue stabilising devices (TSDs) are the most common anti-snoring devices in Luxemburg. These devices have stood by the test of time and work effectively to address complaints of snoring.

Let’s dive in to take a detailed look at these devices.

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs)

The mandible is the biological term which refers to the lower jaw. Most of the time, snoring can be caused when the lower jaw and associated tissue relax and move back while you sleep. This causes the airway to become obstructed and can cause sleep apnea and snoring.

Mandibular advancement devices are specialised mouthguards that enable the lower jaw to move forward and stay in place while you sleep. This creates adequate space for the air to flow freely in your upper airways, which leads to decreased resistance and lowered turbulence. Both of these contribute to a decrease in snoring.

However, there is a slight chance that mandibular advancement devices may cause your teeth to shift. For people with gum diseases or weak teeth, MADs may not prove to be such an effective solution. However, for most, MADs work like a charm and are highly effective. If you think you may benefit from MADs, schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Tongue stabilising devices (TSDs)

Tongue stabilising devices help isolate the tongue and keep it in a forward position while you sleep. This helps create a wider gap between the Tongue and the back of the throat, eliminating or considerably reducing snoring. Tongue-stabilising mouthguards offer greater comfort and can also be used by people with dental diseases.

All of us have unique anatomy, which needs different treatment approaches. Always opt for customised and professionally made mouthguards instead of stock mouthguards. Stock mouthguards come with one size fits all theory and are uncomfortable. They end up doing more harm than good.

On the other hand, the dentists create mouthguards that are personalised according to the shape of your teeth and jaw, which ensures greater comfort and better functionality.

We hope this article provided you with the needed insights on anti-snoring devices and bruxism. If you have not yet received an answer to your questions, do not hesitate to ask us any question in the section below, we will answer as soon as possible. If you find this article useful, we invite you to leave us a comment in the comments section.