What Is a Custom Night Guard? An oral night guard looks similar to the trays used for teeth whitening and sits over the teeth to protect them from grinding or clenching. The device may also be referred to as an occlusal splint, occlusal guard, or bite splint.
What are the benefits of wearing a night guard?
The Top Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard
- Benefits of a Night Guard. Wearing a night guard to sleep will prevent you from grinding your teeth, as well as all the other problems that teeth grinding can create:
- Protects Your Teeth.
- Prevents Headaches.
- Decreases Jaw Pain.
- Prevents Snoring.
- Improves Sleep Quality.
Should you wear a night guard every night?
Should you wear a nightguard every night? Yes, you should wear a night guard every night, especially if you experience severe bruxism. Not wearing your teeth night guard every night will still result in damaged teeth only at a much slower pace.
Do night guards help you sleep?
Night guards can help increase airflow while you sleep by creating a passage between your jaws, allowing you to breathe better during the night. Wearing the night guard can relieve tension on your jaw muscles and will allow for a more restful sleep overall.
How long should you wear a night guard?
Pro Tip: Don’t ever leave your night guard soaking in anything for longer than one hour. Extended time in liquid can damage the material your night guard is made out of. Also, don’t soak in any liquid containing alcohol – that includes Listerine.
Should you wear night guard on upper or lower teeth?
For teeth grinders, a night mouth guard goes on your bottom teeth because that gives the best results. But if you cannot wear a night guard on your bottom teeth for some reason, then a dentist can make a custom night guard for your upper teeth.
Can night guard change your bite?
Occlusal guards (also called night guards) can be useful to protect your dental work, decrease symptoms, allow jaw alignment and act as a guide for your bite adjustment. In severe cases when symptoms persist, they are worn even after teeth have been accurately reshaped.
How do I know if I need a night guard?
If you have noticed wear and tear on your teeth, are experiencing any symptoms that you suspect might be from clenching or grinding, or if your spouse complains of the noise you make when you grind your teeth while sleeping, don’t be surprised if we tell you a nightguard is in order.
Does a night guard stop clenching?
A dental night guard protects the teeth from damage by cushioning the effects of clenching while sleeping. This cushion barrier helps to prevent chipped teeth and worn-down teeth, two of the more common problems associated with the act of clenching one’s teeth.
How long does it take for a night guard to work?
Many people tell me that after wearing a night guard for years, they can’t sleep without one because it feels strange! #2: Give it at least 2-3 weeks. 2 weeks is about the average amount of time it takes to build a permanent habit. Cosmetic Dentist Dr.
Should my teeth hurt after wearing a Nightguard?
If you do experience pain or your mouth is hurting after wearing a night guard, it is a sign that your night guard for teeth is not fitted properly in your mouth. The device may be too large or too small and is not providing the adequate protection that you desire and need.
Can you drink water while wearing a night guard?
Can You Drink Water With a Mouthguard? Yes, it is alright to drink water while wearing your mouthguard. Make sure to floss and brush your teeth before wearing them to ensure no food and bacteria will be stuck to risk tooth decay and Mouthguard stains.
Is it OK to wear a night guard all day?
Can I Wear the Night Guards During the Day? Yes, if you have the severity of the teeth grinding and clenching, wearing the night guards may help protect your teeth from damage.
How do I stop clenching my teeth at night?
You may be grinding your teeth at night, known as bruxism, and you may not even realize it! This is a fairly common disorder, and there are solutions to relieve your headaches and other symptoms.
Reduce Stress
- Exercise.
- Meditation.
- Getting a massage.
- Have a relaxing bath before going to bed.
- Breathing deeply.
Should night guards cover all teeth?
A common misconception is that to provide ultimate protection, a mouthguard must completely cover all teeth, however an overly large mouthguard will cause the wearer to gag. Mouthguards should not go so far back in the mouth that they hinder speech or make breathing more difficult when playing sport.
Should night guards feel tight?
Your Custom Night Guard Should Feel Snug.
When you first put it on, the night guard may feel tight, but it needs to fit securely to stay on your teeth without being held in place with assistance from your jaw. The snug fit will keep the custom night guard in place so that it does not fall out during the night.
Can night guards cause gum recession?
Can Mouthguards Make Your Gums Recede? If you use a mouthguard properly, then it should actually protect your gums, rather than damage them. If, however, you use a dirty, damaged or ill-fitting mouthguard then you could actually be damaging your gums.
Why does my night guard smell?
Why Do Mouth Guards Develop a Smell? When bad breath is caused by bacteria, that smell can easily transfer to your night guard. Mouthguards can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which grows in moist environments. If bacteria is left unchecked, it can eventually lead to infection as well.
How often should I clean my night guard?
Night guard should be cleaned once a week. There are many ways one can do it. The first is by using an over-the-counter denture cleaner, which can be dissolved in a bowl of water with the night guard inside it.
What happens if you don’t wear a night guard?
Without a night guard, enamel can be worn down excessively, leading to tooth sensitivity. Teeth may also be chipped or cracked, requiring extensive restorative dental treatments to repair them.
Is a night guard uncomfortable?
Night guards often feel uncomfortable or bulky because of their inherent thickness. If your bruxism is severe, your dentist may have prescribed a very thick guard, making it even thicker and more difficult to sleep with. If this is the case, talk to your dentist about a thinner night guard.
When your mouth is closed Where should your tongue be?
When your mouth is at rest, your tongue should be against the roof of your mouth, but it should not be pressing against any of your teeth. Your teeth should be slightly apart, and your lips should be closed.
How should your teeth sit when your mouth is closed?
While clenching your teeth together, the top and bottom front teeth should overlap slightly. The Side: At the side, your teeth should lock easily in together like cogs in a wheel. The top teeth should sit just on the outside of the bottom teeth, so they fit snugly together.
What type of night guard is best?
Hard Night Guard
Hard night guards are made to be the strongest and most durable type of night guard available. Depending on the chosen thickness, a 3mm thick hard night guard is designed for patients who grind their teeth on a regular nightly basis.
What’s the cause of teeth grinding?
Causes of teeth grinding
It’s often linked to: stress and anxiety – this is the most common cause of teeth grinding. sleep problems like snoring and sleep apnoea. taking certain medicines, including a type of antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Are mouthguards covered by insurance?
Some dental health insurance plans cover a part or the entire cost of custom-fitted mouthguards obtained through dental professionals. Since health insurance policies vary, it is advised that patients check with their insurance company.
Can I soak my night guard in mouthwash?
Do NOT soak your night guard in mouthwash, as that may cause damage. 3- If you have a plastic mouth guard, you can brush your guard using a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste. Gently brush your mouthguard and then rinse with cool water. 4- Store your night guard in a protective case.
Do night guards help with snoring?
Mouth guards can do more than provide a simple barrier between your teeth to prevent grinding. A snore guard is a mouth guard that can help decrease snoring. Snoring isn’t the sound of air getting pushed through the nose.
Why do I clench my teeth while sleeping?
The most common cause of bruxism is actually the presence of another sleep disorder, like chronic snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Both of these conditions cause frequent interruptions in the sleep — someone suffering from sleep apnea can actually have their sleep interrupted more than 100 times in one night.
How long do night guards last?
Night Guards will have varying durability depending on a number of factors. A night guard will have an average lifespan of 5 years, but depending upon the wear, it can need replacement in just 1 year.
Why is my night guard turning black?
Black spots on your mouthguard may indicate mold growth. You should not wear your mouthguard if you see black spots because mold can make you sick. To avoid black mold growth on your night guard, clean the device regularly.
Can I use denture cleaner for my mouth guard?
You can clean your night guard with a denture cleaner, which usually involves placing your night guard in a glass with water a dissolvable tablet. Or, you can pour a cap full of mouthwash into a glass and then dilute it with water.
Can I soak my night guard in denture cleaner?
They will chew appliance. Your appliance can be soaked in a denture cleaner for a maximum of 20 min, 1 time a week. Store your night guard in a dry case when not in use.
How do you get used to a night guard?
Start with Short Periods. As soon as our team has completed your night guard, we recommend that you wear it in small spurts throughout the day to help your mouth get used to it. Even wearing it for 20-30 minutes throughout the day can help you get used to how it feels.
Do mouth guards work for sleep apnea?
Modified mouth guards that are custom made for each patient are usually very successful at treating sleep apnea.
How do you clean a mouthguard?
Soak the mouth guard in distilled vinegar for 30 minutes, rinse, and the soak it in the hydrogen peroxide for an additional 30 minutes, and then rinse it again thoroughly. You can also try a combination of mouthwash and water. Use a capful of mouthwash diluted in water (until the mouth guard is fully submerged).
Do you have to wear a Nightguard forever?
You’ll need to wear your night guard for as long as you battle bruxism. To see if your bruxism has stopped, pay a visit to your regular dental office and bring your night guard. The signs of bruxism can be subtle.
Do night guards really work?
Pro: It protects the teeth from damage
A dental night guard protects the teeth from damage by cushioning the effects of clenching while sleeping. This cushion barrier helps to prevent chipped teeth and worn-down teeth, two of the more common problems associated with the act of clenching one’s teeth.