Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause a lot of pain in the face, jaw, and head. Thankfully, one of the easiest preventatives for teeth grinding is a good night guard. But, how do you find the best night guard for teeth grinding?
If you havenāt looked for a night guard before, you may not know where to start. Thatās exactly why weāve created this comprehensive guide to finding the right night guard for you and your mouth. Letās get started.
Key Takeaways:
- Night Guards Prevent Long-Term Damage: They act as a barrier, protecting your teeth from the pressure caused by grinding and clenching.
- Over-the-Counter vs. Custom-Made: OTC night guards are affordable but lack a perfect fit, while custom-made options provide superior protection and comfort.
- Material Matters: Choose between soft and hard night guards depending on the severity of your grinding and your comfort preferences.
- Fit is Crucial: A well-fitted night guard stays in place during sleep, ensuring maximum protection and comfort.
- Durability Affects Cost: Custom night guards last longer and save you money in the long run compared to OTC options.
- Custom-Fitted Night Guards Offer Greater Benefits: Dental professionals provide a tailored fit, better protection, and long-term relief from bruxism and TMJ pain.
- Caring for Your Night Guard Prolongs its Life: Regular cleaning and proper storage ensure your night guard stays effective and durable.
The Importance of Night Guards in Managing Bruxism
Bruxism occurs when you consistently clench or grind your teeth ā often during sleep. This condition can lead to serious oral health issues, including worn enamel, tooth fractures, and increased tooth sensitivity.
Over time, constant grinding places stress on the jaw, causing pain and discomfort, and can even lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. (You can learn more about treating your TMJ in our blog: How to Cure TMJ Permanently.)
Without intervention, bruxism may result in costly dental repairs and long-term damage to teeth and gums.
Thus, night guards provide an effective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing the teeth grinding that damages enamel and wears down teeth.Ā
By absorbing and distributing the pressure from clenching, night guards protect the teeth from excessive force. With regular use, night guards preserve the integrity of your teeth, saving you from future dental treatments and ensuring healthier oral function.
But, how do you choose the best night guard for you? Letās begin by looking at the different types available.
Types of Night Guards Available
There are a few different types of night guards available to you depending on your personal preferences. Primarily, you can choose between over-the-counter and custom-made night guards based on your budget, accessibility, and more.
Over-the-Counter Night Guards
Over-the-counter (OTC) night guards are readily available at most drugstores and online. These guards typically come in one-size-fits-all or boil-and-bite options, allowing users to mold the guard to their teeth.
While affordable and convenient, OTC night guards often lack the precise fit needed for maximum comfort and protection. The generic design may lead to discomfort or a loose fit, which can reduce the guard’s effectiveness in preventing teeth grinding.
Typically, OTC night guards are best suited for those with mild bruxism or those looking for a temporary solution.
Custom-Made Night Guards
On the other hand, custom-made night guards by a dental professional are designed specifically for your teeth.
Unlike OTC options, these guards are crafted from dental impressions, ensuring a perfect fit tailored to your bite. The snug fit of custom night guards not only increases comfort but also provides superior protection against grinding and clenching.
Custom guards use durable materials that can withstand more intense grinding, offering long-term benefits. Of course, these are going to cost you quite a bit more than OTC options.
For individuals with moderate to severe bruxism or those who wear their night guard every night, custom-fitted guards offer the best protection and durability.
Best Night Guard for Teeth Grinding: Factors to Consider
When choosing the best night guard for you, there are several factors you should consider before making a purchase.
From material to durability and even fit, letās take a closer look at the elements you should factor in when it comes to your ideal night guard.
Material
The material of your night guard plays a crucial role in its effectiveness and comfort. Night guards typically come in two main types: soft and hard. Soft night guards, made from flexible materials, are comfortable and work well for mild teeth grinding.
However, they may wear down quickly with regular use. Hard night guards, often crafted from acrylic or other durable materials, provide stronger protection and are more suitable for severe bruxism.
Fit
A proper fit is essential for a night guard to function as intended. Over-the-counter night guards offer a universal fit or boil-and-bite customization, but these options can still feel bulky or uncomfortable.
Custom-fitted night guards, on the other hand, are designed to match your exact dental structure, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit.
A well-fitting night guard stays in place during sleep, minimizing discomfort and providing full protection from grinding.
When selecting a night guard, prioritize one that offers a secure and tailored fit, especially if you plan to wear it regularly.
Durability
Durability directly impacts the longevity and cost-effectiveness of a night guard. Over-the-counter options tend to be less durable, often needing replacement within a year due to wear and tear.
Custom-made night guards, particularly those made from higher-quality materials, can last several years with proper care.
If you experience heavy grinding, investing in a durable, custom-fitted guard can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent replacements.
When choosing a night guard, weigh the upfront cost against its expected lifespan to ensure you’re making a long-lasting investment.
Benefits of Custom-Fitted Night Guards from a Dental Professional
Understandably, dental professionals like those here at The Dental Team highly suggest going the custom-fitted-night-guard route.
There are countless benefits to getting these, so letās take a closer look at them below.
- Perfect Fit for Comfort: Custom night guards are designed using precise dental impressions, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit tailored to your teeth. This reduces discomfort and slipping during sleep.
- Enhanced Protection: With a custom fit, these night guards offer better protection against teeth grinding and clenching, evenly distributing pressure and minimizing the risk of damage to teeth and jaw.
- Durability: Made from high-quality, durable materials, custom-fitted guards last longer than over-the-counter options, making them a long-term investment in your oral health.
- Professional Guidance: A dental professional will evaluate your specific needs, such as the severity of bruxism, and recommend the right materials and thickness for your guard, providing expert care throughout the process.
- Custom Adjustments: As your bite or needs change, your dentist can make adjustments to the guard, ensuring it continues to fit well and provide optimal protection over time.
- Relief from Jaw and TMJ Pain: Custom night guards help reduce the strain on the jaw muscles and alleviate TMJ symptoms, offering relief from pain and discomfort caused by bruxism.
Getting a Night Guard from The Dental Team
So, what does it look like to get a night guard from professionals like The Dental Team?
First, the process begins with a thorough consultation, where we assess your teeth and jaw to understand the severity of your bruxism. During this visit, we will discuss your symptoms, examine your teeth for any signs of grinding or wear, and determine if a custom-fitted night guard is the right solution for you.
Once we decide that a custom night guard is necessary, we take detailed impressions of your teeth. These impressions allow us to design a guard that fits your mouth precisely, ensuring both comfort and maximum protection.
Your dental impressions are sent to a specialized lab where your custom night guard is crafted with care.
Then, when your custom night guard is ready, youāll return to our office for a fitting. Weāll ensure the guard fits comfortably, making any necessary adjustments so it conforms perfectly to your bite. This step is crucial for ensuring that the night guard remains comfortable and effective over time.
If needed, future adjustments can be made to ensure continued comfort and protection as your bite changes or your needs evolve.
Care and Maintenence
Finally, to keep your night guard in optimal condition, itās essential to clean it regularly.
After each use, rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any debris or bacteria. Use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive soap to gently scrub the guard, avoiding toothpaste, which can be too abrasive.
For a deeper clean, consider soaking your night guard in a denture cleaner or mouthguard rinse once a week. This will help prevent discoloration, odor, and buildup of plaque or bacteria.
Make sure to keep the case in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat, as extreme temperatures can warp or damage the material.
Avoid placing your night guard in your pocket or bag without its case, as this can lead to cracks or distortion.
How to Schedule a Fitting for a Custom Night Guard Today
At the end of the day, choosing the right night guard is essential for protecting your teeth from the damaging effects of bruxism. By working with a dental professional, you ensure that your night guard is tailored to your specific needs, offering maximum relief from teeth grinding and jaw discomfort.
If youāre interested in scheduling a fitting for a custom night guard, contact our practice today to schedule a consultation. Your teeth deserve the best care, and we’re here to provide it.
