Taking care of your oral health is more than just brushing and flossing. If you have jaw pain, morning headaches, or sensitive teeth, you might want to try using a night guard. A night guard is a special dental appliance you wear at night to help treat or reduce obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. It helps protect your teeth from the harm of grinding, which is called bruxism. It absorbs the pressure from grinding and clenching. This can stop enamel erosion and reduce the stress on your jaw muscles. In this article, we will discover more about what does a night guard do and how does it benefit us.
Key Highlights
- A night guard, also known as a mouth guard, is a dental appliance worn at night to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching.
- They are particularly beneficial for people who suffer from bruxism, a condition that causes teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
- Night guards are custom-made to fit your teeth, ensuring comfort and maximum protection.
- Besides preventing tooth damage, they can also alleviate jaw pain, headaches, and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
- Your dentist can help determine if you need a night guard and provide you with a custom-fitted option.
The Purpose Of A Night Guard
Night guards are mainly made to protect your teeth from bruxism, which means grinding and clenching your teeth at night. This often happens without you knowing. Grinding your teeth can wear them down and lead to enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth fractures. Night guards create a space between your upper and lower teeth. They absorb the pressure and friction, which helps to reduce the damage from grinding.
Night guards not only protect your teeth but also help reduce jaw pain and headaches related to tooth grinding and bruxism. When you grind or clench your teeth, it puts extra strain on your jaw muscles. This can cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which leads to pain and discomfort. Wearing night guards helps relax your jaw muscles and ease this tension, which can lessen headaches and jaw pain. Talk to your dentist if you think you are experiencing these common signs that you need a night guard.
How Night Guards Protect Your Teeth And Jaw
So, what does a night guard do? Night guards help protect your teeth by keeping your upper and bottom set of teeth apart. This stops them from hitting each other when you grind or clench your teeth. A night guard, also called a nocturnal bite plate, soaks up the pressure from biting. This protects your teeth, especially the enamel, which is the tough outside layer that keeps your teeth safe from decay.
Plus, night guards help relax your jaw muscles. They let your jaw rest in a better position. This can lower tension and help with symptoms of TMJ, like jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and neck pain. This can lead to better sleep and improve your overall health.
Different Types Of Night Guards
Night guards are used to protect teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep. There are different types available, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. The two most common types are over-the-counter guards and custom-fitted guards.
Over-the-counter night guards are ready-made and can be found in most drugstores. They are usually cheaper than custom-fitted options, but they may not fit every mouth well. Custom-fitted night guards are made by your dentist. They fit better and are more comfortable. This special fit makes them often more effective and longer-lasting.
Over-The-Counter Vs. Custom-Fitted
When looking for a night guard, you will find two main types: over-the-counter (OTC) and custom-fitted. Both kinds protect your teeth from grinding, but they fit, feel, and cost differently.
OTC night guards are easy to find in drugstores and are cheaper. They come in set sizes and shapes. Some have a “boil-and-bite” option that gives you a slightly better fit.
For better comfort and protection, custom-fitted night guards are the best choice. Here’s why:
- Perfect Fit: Your dentist makes molds of your teeth to create a guard that fits you well, making it more comfortable and effective.
- Durability: Custom-fitted guards last longer and are tougher than OTC ones, thanks to their high-quality materials.
- Treatment Options: Your dentist can adjust the thickness and type of material for your needs and the level of your bruxism.
Materials Used In Making Night Guards
Night guards are made from different materials, and each one affects comfort, strength, and how well it works. Knowing about these materials can help you pick the right mouth guard after talking to your dentist.
One common material is acrylic. This hard and strong material is great for people who clench and grind their teeth a lot. Acrylic night guards last a long time and can handle wear and tear. Another option is soft acrylic or dual laminate. These mouth guards have a hard outside for strength and a soft inside for extra comfort. This flexible design is a good choice for people with sensitive gums or teeth.
Also, there are thermoplastic materials, often found in “boil-and-bite” over-the-counter night guards. These soften when heated and can be shaped to fit your teeth better. While they give a more customized fit than regular over-the-counter guards, they may not be as durable as acrylic.
The Process Of Getting A Custom Night Guard
Getting a custom night guard is a great way to protect your teeth from grinding. This process is simple and takes place at your dentist’s office. Custom night guards, unlike ones you buy at the store, are made using molds of your teeth. This means they will fit you perfectly and feel comfortable.
When you visit your dentist, they will check your teeth. They will take an impression of your upper or lower jaw teeth, based on what you need. Then, this impression goes to a dental lab. There, technicians will create your custom night guard. This personal touch helps guarantee that you get the best comfort and the maximum protection for your teeth.
Consultation And Dental Assessment
The first step to getting a custom night guard is to schedule a meeting with your dentist. At this appointment, your dentist will check your oral health to see if you need a night guard. Be sure to talk about any problems you have, like jaw pain, headaches, or sensitive teeth.
After looking at your dental history and examining your teeth for signs of bruxism, your dentist can tell you how a night guard may help you. They will check if your teeth have wear, feel your jaw muscles for any pain, and look at how your bite lines up.
If your dentist thinks you need a custom night guard, they will make an impression of your teeth. This simple process includes biting into a tray with a special dental material that hardens. This creates a mold of your teeth, capturing the exact shape of your bite. This way, your custom night guard will fit just right.
Taking Dental Impressions
Taking dental impressions is an important step in making a custom-fitted mouthguard night guard. These impressions are precise molds of your teeth, gums, and nearby tissues. They show the unique shape and alignment of your mouth. Your dentist will use a special material for these impressions to make sure your mouthguard night guard fits well and is comfortable.
A tray filled with a putty-like material will be placed over your upper or lower teeth. You will need to bite down gently for a few minutes. As you press down, the material hardens and creates an accurate negative mold of your teeth. Your dentist might take impressions of both your upper and lower teeth. This will depend on whether you need a night guard for just the upper teeth, lower teeth, or both.
After the material hardens, the tray is carefully taken off, leaving a detailed mold of your teeth. This mold is sent to a dental lab. There, skilled technicians will use it to make your custom night guard. The dental lab will ensure the night guard fits your teeth perfectly. This way, it will feel snug and provide great protection.
The Benefits Of Wearing A Night Guard
Wearing a night guard has many benefits, especially regarding the type of mouth guard you choose. This is especially true if you have bruxism or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). A night guard acts like a shield for your teeth. It helps stop damage caused by grinding and clenching. This keeps your natural tooth structure safe and can save you from expensive dental work.
A night guard also helps to ease the stress on your jaw muscles. This can lower issues like jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and facial pain. As a result, it can help you sleep better and improve your overall well-being. Knowing these benefits could help you decide if it is worth getting a night guard from a dentist near you.
Prevention Of Teeth Grinding And Clenching
Night guards can help manage bruxism and protect your teeth, even though they don’t cure it. Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching teeth, often happening during sleep without you knowing. Over time, this can cause serious problems like chipped teeth, fractured teeth, and enamel erosion.
Night guards create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth. They absorb the pressure from grinding and clenching. This keeps your teeth from touching each other and protects your enamel from wear and tear, helping to keep it strong and reduce sensitivity.
By taking on the pressure from bruxism, night guards lessen the stress on your jaw muscles. This can lead to less grinding and clenching over time. Because of their helpful effects, night guards are important for slowing down tooth damage and supporting good oral health.
Alleviating TMJ Symptoms
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, can cause many annoying symptoms of TMJ disorder. These include jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and a clicking or popping sound from the jaw. You might also feel pain in your face and neck. The causes of TMJ can be different, but bruxism is a major factor. Bruxism is when a person grinds or clenches their teeth.
When you clench and grind your teeth, it puts a lot of pressure on the jaw muscles. This can lead to inflammation and make the pain worse in the TMJ. Night guards can help a lot. They cushion the jaw and lower muscle activity while you sleep.
By keeping your teeth apart, night guards help relax the jaw muscles and lessen the strain on the TMJ. This can stop the cycle of grinding and clenching. You may have less inflammation and pain. While night guards do not cure TMJ, they are a useful tool for coping with symptoms and making jaw function better.
Maintenance Tips For Your Night Guard
Taking care of your night guard is very important. This helps it last longer and work well. It also keeps your mouth clean. A good night guard can protect your teeth and jaw for years.
Clean your night guard every day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Don’t use hot water because it can change the shape of the guard. After you clean it, rinse it well. Keep your dental guard in a dry container with good air flow to stop bacteria from growing. You can soak your night guard in a denture cleaning solution a few times a week for a better clean. Just make sure to rinse it well before you wear it.
The Disadvantages Of Using Night Guards
While night guards are generally safe and work well for most people, there are some potential downsides to consider when using a night guard. Some individuals may feel uncomfortable when they first start wearing the appliance. Luckily, this discomfort usually goes away after a few days as you get used to it.
Sometimes, you might face minor problems like too much saliva, a dry mouth, or trouble breathing through your nose. If you feel a lot of discomfort or if these issues don’t go away, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist for necessary adjustments. You should also keep an eye out for common signs of wear and discuss replacement options with your dentist. Remember, night guards do not fit everyone the same way.
How Much Does A Custom Mouth Guard Cost
The price of a custom mouth guard can be quite different. This depends on things like the fees from the dentist at a dental office, how complex your case is, the materials used, and what the dental lab charges. Unlike the mouth guards you can buy at stores, custom ones are made from impressions of your teeth. This makes them more costly.
Still, when you think about the price, you should also think about the long-term benefits. These night guards can save you money by preventing future dental issues. Paying for dental work like crowns, bridges, or braces and implants might be needed if you have untreated bruxism. So, a custom mouth guard is a good investment for your oral health. Many dental insurance plans may help pay for custom mouth guards, especially if a dentist says you need them.
Short Summary
In conclusion, a night guard protects your teeth and jaw. It helps especially with grinding and clenching. When you wear a night guard, you can avoid dental problems and reduce symptoms like TMJ discomfort. Knowing the benefits and how to care for night guards is important for them to work well. It is essential to talk to a dentist about getting a night guard that fits your needs. Take care of your oral health and keep your smile safe with a night guard. If you have questions or concerns about night guards, our experts are here to help. So, now you know what does a night guard do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does A Night Guard Last?
With proper care, a nightguard can last many years. But how long it lasts depends on what type you have and how much you grind your teeth. It is important to see your dentist regularly. This will help them check the nightguard and suggest when you need to replace it.
Can Night Guards Cure TMJ?
Night guards can’t fix TMJ, but they can really help lessen its symptoms. They do this by easing strain on the jaw and helping the muscles relax. Your dentist can recommend the best treatment options to manage your TMJ symptoms well.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Wearing Night Guards?
The risks that come with night guards are slight. Most of these risks are due to discomfort if the guard does not fit well. It is important to have a dental check-up. This way, you can get a night guard that fits properly and reduces any side effects.
How Do I Know If I Need A Night Guard?
If you often have headaches or jaw pain, or if you see signs of bruxism like worn teeth or sensitivity, it’s a good idea to see a dentist. They can check if a night guard would help you.
Will Wearing A Night Guard Affect My Sleep?
At first, some people may feel a bit strange sleeping with a night guard. But most get used to it quickly. The night guard helps to lessen teeth grinding. This leads to more comfort and a better quality of sleep.
