What will happen if I forget to wear my Nightguard?

Bruxism might be a familiar term to you if you use a Nightguard. Bruxism is the dental and medical term for the condition of consistent teeth-grinding. 

When a patient suffers from Bruxism, they are often recommended a Nightguard by their dentist or orthodontist.

Nightguards protect the teeth and gums from damage caused by grinding while sleeping. Many studies suggest that stress might cause the grinding habit.  Stress responses are tricky to mitigate while unconscious, hence necessitating a Nightguard.

What happens when someone forgets to wear their Nightguard on occasion?

Well, it’s not too complicated. Symptoms and pitfalls of Bruxism occur without prevention. Forgetting to brush your teeth one time is not likely to cause a decline in your dental hygiene, but making a habit of forgetting will. The same applies to wearing a Nightguard. 

In that case, you might be wondering what kind of problems Bruxism and forgetting to wear your Nightguard can cause. The following are some of the issues that can occur:

• Gum recession

• Cracked teeth

• Bite issues

• Headaches

• Other more expensive long-term dental problems

Teeth grinding can be a minor problem, or it can easily cause major problems. Develop a habit now of regularly wearing your Nightguard to prevent any damage that might occur.

You can also speak with a dentist at Hale Family Dentistry to learn if there are any treatment adjustments you can make for your Bruxism.

There is no need to panic if you have missed wearing your Nightguard. Start developing the habit of regular use today to protect your teeth.