Dental night guards safeguard your teeth from wearing down as a result of grinding or clenching. Popularly known as bruxism, this condition affects a good chunk of the population and is triggered by chewing. According to some experts, stress and anxiety causes it.
If you’re looking to invest in a mouth guard recommended by a dentist, read this blog. Here, we answer some FAQs about dental guards:
1. What are night guards?
It’s a device placed over teeth to keep the wearer from grinding/clenching. While grinding means moving the jaw back and forth, clenching involves biting down for long periods. The guard safeguards both the top and bottom teeth. Generally, they’re made from plastic and can be placed over all or some of the upper/lower teeth. Although they’re commonly worn over the upper teeth, for someone who wears dental appliances like bracers, they can be tailored for lower teeth.
Night guards also help safeguard your teeth from chipping/cracking and reestablish the natural space between them. Yes, they won’t stop you from doing either, but they serve as a cushion to prevent wear. They also help your jaw rest during sleep.
2. Why do you need a night guard?
A night guard is a thin, transparent appliance worn over the teeth’s surface to prevent grinding of the lower and upper jaw. While the night guards are mainly used on people with bruxism, people with TMD (temporomandibular disorder) can also benefit from wearing these appliances. Wearing a night guard provides incredible benefits like:
- Protecting your dental structure
- Preventing pain, as well as wear and tear of the teeth
- Preventing and alleviating chronic headaches
3. Is a night guard your only option?
Typically, night guards aren’t the only option for treating bruxism. However, they’re the best and most common. Here are some other things you can do to prevent or lessen teeth grinding/clenching.
- Limit the consumption of coffee and alcohol
- Relax before sleep by listening to music, meditating, or doing yoga
- Don’t smoke, especially right before bed
4. Do night guards hurt?
Like other dental appliances, you’ll need time to get used to a night guard. Ideally, you should wear it for a few hours before bed until it begins to feel normal. This can help you get used to it faster. However, if it still hurts, visit Clear Comfort Night Guards and order custom dental guards.
5. What benefits does a night guard offer?
Wearing a night guard can:
Save money in the long run
Repairing teeth is expensive. Clenching your jaw can destroy your teeth — slowly but surely, requiring frequent trips to the dentist. However, night guards can alleviate such damage.
Prohibit snoring
Often, teeth grinding and jaw clenching lead to snoring. Wearing a mouthguard can prevent snoring as it separates the jaws, which amplifies air intake and lets you breathe well.
Stop tooth damage
Grinding and clenching your teeth during sleep damages them. This includes damage to fillings, excessive wear, and broken and chipped teeth. Since night guards prevent the upper jaw from coming in contact with the lower jaw, the impact of such habits is greatly reduced.
Alleviates pain and tension
Cases of bruxism and TMD are associated with pain and tooth sensitivity. Symptoms may also include muscle spasms, neck pain, earaches, and muscle fatigue. Once you start using a night guard, you’ll notice that these symptoms will disappear almost immediately.
Prevent headaches
Headache is one symptom of teeth grinding and clenching. Nobody likes to wake up with a headache — fortunately, night guards can alleviate this.
6. Can I wear teeth guards during the day?
Of course, if you grind and clench your teeth a lot, you can safeguard your teeth from damage by wearing a daytime teeth guard. At Clear Comfort Night Guards, our daytime ultra-thin guard is almost invisible; it’s also convenient to talk when you wear it.
7. How long do nightguards last?
The lifespan and durability of a night guard are determined by the material used, the level of teeth grinding/clenching, and the care you take for your night guard. However, on average, a soft guard can last between six months to two years. Nevertheless, dental professionals always advise replacing your teeth guard every 6 months to avoid teeth cavities due to the accumulation of bacteria.
8. Will the night guards cure bruxism?
Unfortunately, night guards don’t cure teeth grinding; they only preserve the teeth by protecting them against grinding.
9. How do I stop myself from chewing on my mouthguard?
It’s the fit of your mouthguard that’s important. Your mouth guard should stay firmly on your upper teeth during the activities you undergo — it shouldn’t be held in place through biting or by clenching with the teeth.
10. How do I stop myself from gagging my mouthguard?
If you're gagging on your mouthguard, there must be something wrong with the cut. If you have a mouth guard that’s either too long or too high, it’ll put the material in unwanted areas. To stop yourself from gagging, ensure your mouth guard prevents your soft palate because it only brings discomfort and doesn’t offer protection. Ideally, the material should stop between the first molar’s end and midway through the second molar.
If you still experience gagging, a thinner night guard can help.
11. How do I clean my mouthguard?
Cleaning your mouth guard is simple. Rinse them with water before and after use. Sometimes, cleaning mouthguards with mouthwash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste isn’t recommended. Instead, an effervescent or denture cleaner must be used. Lastly, when you’re not using the appliance, keep it inside its case. Don’t forget to clean the case every now and then.
Get a clear custom night guard from Clear Comfort Night Guards
Clear Comfort Night Guardsoffer dentist-recommended mouthguards to help with teeth grinding and related issues like tooth damage, TMJ relief, and headaches. You can purchase theirmouth guard for teeth grinding through a simple process.
Purchasing their night guards is simple. They aim to ensure that each of their custom-made nightguards is a comfortable fit for their customers.
Visit their website for more information!
About the Author
Frank M. Monson is a healthcare professional with experience of more than a decade. While he currently works in a hospital, he also loves writing blogs to educate his followers on health-related topics.
