Headache Prevention & Nightguards

Drug-Free Headache Prevention

Traditional theories have linked tension-type headaches (TTH) to muscle contraction and tightness in your jaw, scalp, neck, and shoulders. A small, comfortable biteguard worn at night, called an NTI, works to reduce the intensity of clenching and teeth grinding. This enables the muscles of the jaw, head, and neck to relax, allowing you to find the relief you have always wanted from your headaches and/or jaw pain.

Bruxism is the involuntary or habitual clenching together of upper and lower teeth and is often accompanied by grinding, which is when you slide your teeth back and forth over each other. Bruxism often happens during sleep and can put unhealthy pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other surrounding structures of the jaw. It can also cause jaw joint disorders, headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, ear pain, tense muscles, and excessive wear on your teeth. Collectively these symptoms are referred to as “TMJ” problems (temperomandibular joint, or the hinge that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw). Bruxism is a common problem affecting an estimated 30-40 million Americans and if left untreated, it can permanently damage the temperomandibular joint as well as the teeth. The cause of bruxism is not completely known, but many professionals agree that stress and anxiety play a major role. Sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, and missing or crooked teeth are other possible factors.

Stress reduction and anxiety management are methods used to reduce the symptoms of bruxism, but a biteguard is the most commonly used treatment method. The NTI device is a small, FDA-approved mouthpiece that fits securely on either your upper or lower front teeth while you sleep. It creates exclusive contact between your incisors (the 8 teeth in the front of your mouth with straight edges) and prevents your molars from touching or grinding, which stops your pain at its source without drugs. Ask us how an NTI biteguard could help you have more peaceful nights and more pain-free days!

Visit NTI's website for more information: www.HeadachePrevention.com