Night Guard

If you wake in the morning with jaw pain or headaches, you could be grinding your teeth while you sleep. You can get relief from these systems by wearing a night guard. This custom dental device creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. It helps prevent long-term damage and improves quality of sleep. In this blog, you will learn how the Bel Air MD Dentist team helps you with prevention of bruxism and other oral problems.

What Is a Night Guard?

A night guard is a dental appliance that is removable and you wear it at night to protect your teeth against the side-effects of grinding. It spacers out your upper and lower teeth. They absorb the pressure and prevent tooth enamel damage and pain in the jaw joint. The guards are made of plastic or acrylic components. Bel Air MD Dentist provides you more effective and customized solutions depending on your need.

How is a Night Guard Different From a Retainer?

Night guards may look similar to retainers but their functions are different. Below are the detail:

They are usually used at nighttime to protect your teeth from grinding
It is shaped for comfort during sleep

Retainer

Position of teeth after orthodontic treatment can be maintained by using night guards
These retainers are not designed to absorb grinding forces
A retainer can not be used in place of a night guard

Types of Night Guards

There are many types of night guards depending on the dental conditions. Their details are given below:

Soft Night Guards: These are made of flexible and rubbery material. They are a perfect remedy for those patients with bruxism. They can wear out faster.

Hard Night Guards: They are made of durable acrylic. They are ideal for preventing mild to severe bruxism. People with bite alignment issues can also use them.

Dual Laminate Night Guards: These are soft inner cushioning and a hard outer shell. They are durable. Their comfortability makes them ideal for moderate grinding patients.

This means that you need to choose a night guard that is effective and comfortable. The dentist will give you the best choice that matches your teeth.

Why People Use Night Guards

Below are the reasons why you should use a night guard:

To avoid the harm of bruxism, the condition when people grind their teeth or clench them without thinking or falling asleep.
Its intended purpose is to lessen the effects of TMJ disorders such as pain in the jaw, clicking, and muscle tension.
To guard against wear, chipping or cracking of tooth enamel and dental repairs as a result of nighttime grinding
To reduce the morning headache, soreness of the jaw and fatigue of facial muscles due to clenching
To enhance the quality of sleep by reducing pain and stress of muscles due to stress of the jaw
These are designed to reposition the jaw to prevent snoring or mild obstructive sleep apneas

Signs You Might Need a Night Guard

The following are the reasons you might need a mouth guard:

You may get pains or suffer aches in your jaws.
You may suffer from headaches, especially near sides of the face
Your teeth appear chipped, torn down, chipped, or worn down
You notice increased tooth sensitivity, particularly to hot or cold temperatures.
Your jaw muscles feel tight or fatigued
You hear clicking or popping in the jaw
A roommate mentions hearing grinding or clenching noises during your sleep
Signs of wear or stress observed by your dentist
Poor sleep quality or your unrested at wake up

How to Choose the Right Night Guard

Choose a night guard depending on the extent of your grinding
Choose based on your budget
Pick a material that feels comfortable and suits your sleeping habits
Follow the advice of your dentist

How to Care for Your Night Guard

Wash your night guard every day with a soft toothbrush and soft soap
Plain cleanliness in cool water with fine soap
Do not warm up in hot water and it can distort it
Always make sure that your guard is not wet
Shield it from the direct sunlight.
Check frequently to see if it is cracking or wearing out
You should replace your night guard after 6 to 12 months or earlier if it is damaged or does not seem comfortable.

Common Myths About Night Guards

It is possible to identify a number of prevalent myths concerning the using of night guards that may discourage an individual to use them. It is believed that night guards are bulky and uncomfortable but today even those are made in a custom form to make sure that they are comfortable to wear and they do not create any discomfort during the night. The second myth is that night guard is only necessary in case of a severe tooth grinding case, despite the fact that grinding, even mild and moderate, may prove to be quite harmful in the long run and is worth protecting. There is also the belief that a night guard can be used by any night guard but fit, materials and design have such a significant way to affect efficiency and comfort that it is important to decide on the right type-usually with some professional assistance.