Frequently Wake Up With Headaches? A Night Guard Could Help

You notice it the moment you wake up: a throbbing headache that sets an uneasy tone for the rest of your day. But did you know that a night guard may provide a solution depending on the cause of your symptoms?

Wearing a night guard can help address headaches associated with bruxism, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and sleep apnea.

Our expert team at Swinney Dental in Tyler, Texas, offers customized dental treatments, often including night guards, for these common conditions.

Take a few moments to learn more about night guards for headaches.

Dental causes of morning headaches

Bruxism (teeth grinding) commonly causes morning headaches in children and young adults. While you can grind your teeth any time, it most often happens during the first two stages of sleep. Because your jaw muscles tighten during those episodes, you’ll likely wake up with a tension headache.

TMJ disorders cause headaches due to clenched jaw muscles. TMJ headaches can also stem from problems with your nerves and pain signals or from misaligned teeth. Up to 12% of adults experience TMJ problems, such as headaches, at some point.

Sleep apnea causes up to 10% of people to repeatedly stop breathing during sleep. These interruptions lead to headaches associated with dilated blood vessels and low blood oxygen levels. A lack of restful sleep in general – including from sleep apnea – fuels headaches, too.

How night guards help headaches

Night guards for bruxism and TMJ disorders consist of a special plastic material that provides a stable cushion between your lower and upper teeth. Once it’s in place, biting down causes significantly less pressure on your face and jaw muscles, as well as nerves that may be causing your headaches.

Night guards for sleep apnea, also made of various plastics, work differently. By keeping your airway open during sleep, they help ensure normal breathing and restful sleep. This also reduces loud snoring — a prominent sleep apnea symptom.

Other treatments for your headaches 

Other treatments we may recommend include an NTI-tss™ device, which focuses on your jaw’s temporal muscles. We may also suggest tooth restoration devices and lifestyle changes. 

We also offer other devices, such as Silent Nite ®, designed to treat snoring caused by mild to moderate sleep apnea. In some cases, night guards are one component of a comprehensive treatment plan for the underlying cause of headaches. 

You don’t have to continue waking up with morning headaches. To find out if you’re a good candidate for a dental night guard, call Swinney Dental today. You can also schedule an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.