Signs You Should be Wearing a Night Guard 

Wearing a night guard can help save your smile from pain that comes along with grinding and clenching your teeth and jaw. If you wake up in the morning with jaw pain or headaches, it could signal you need to be wearing a mouth guard to bed. 

What is a Night Guard?

A night guard is one of the most common treatment options for those who grind their teeth. Night guards are plastic pieces that cover the top or bottom set of teeth, similar to a retainer. This appliance serves as a barrier over your teeth to protect them from clenching and prevent the molars from grinding together. In addition to protecting your teeth, it will also allow you to get a better night’s rest. 

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding 

Night guards are used to stop the surfaces of your teeth from grinding together. Without this added protection, you could chip or crack a tooth and suffer from jaw strain. Teeth grinding often occurs when people are stressed or have anxiety, however, it can also be caused due to teeth alignment issues, mouth irritation issues, and even allergies. This issue needs to be addressed with your dentist because regular clenching and grinding your teeth can cause uncomfortable symptoms and issues, such as: 

• Teeth grinding or clenching, which can be loud enough to wake your partner 
• Flattened, fractured, chipped, or even loose teeth
• Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
• Increased tooth pain and sensitivity
• Tired or right jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely 
• Jaw, neck, or face pain and soreness
• Earaches, though it’s not actually a problem with the ear 
• Dull headaches 
• Damage from chewing the inside of your cheek
• Sleep disruption 

What Night Guard is Best? 

Pharmacies and supermarkets often sell over-the-counter night guards. However, these won’t offer as much protection for your teeth as you need. Common night guard options include:

• One-size-fits-all – which is an over-the-counter option that you buy and will not be custom fit. These could be an option for someone who only occasionally grinds their teeth and is working with a low budget.
• Boil and bite – another over-the-counter option, but with this one you boil it in water and then bite into it once it cools, leaving your own impression. This is a simple guard and is one of the most common you can buy off the store shelf. 
• Lab made – this is the option we recommend most, because it will provide you the most accurate fit made by an impression of your exact teeth. 

During an office visit with Stonebrook Family Dental, Dr. Kevin Varley will take an impression of your teeth and then it will be sent off to a dental laboratory. The lab will create a custom-fit acrylic night guard based on your specifications from your own impression. Once your night guard is ready, you will come back to our office where our team will make sure that it fits correctly. At this appointment, minor adjustments can be made to ensure you are taking home a night guard that fits exactly like you need it to. 

How to Care for a Night Guard

When you get a night guard, you will need to care for it properly. However, there’s no need to worry — it isn’t a complicated process. In the morning when you take your night guard out, you will need to gently cleanse it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Once clean, store your night guard in cold tap water to help prevent bacteria growth. 

We do not recommend cleaning your guard with an alcohol-based cleanser. This can shorten the lifespan of your appliance. However, sometimes you might feel you need a deeper clean than what toothpaste can provide. When this happens, cleanse the guard once a week with a denture-cleansing tablet. 

When you have to store the night guard in it’s container, it needs to be thoroughly dry to prevent bacteria growth. The container should also be cleaned regularly. If it’s not, the night guard will be contaminated once you put it in the case — this can cause an infection or even an illness. Wash your case out well with soap and hot water, allow it to completely dry before you place your night guard in it. 

Your guard is made to last, however, overtime, the grinding will take its toll. This is good news though, as it is your night guard being damaged from the clenching/grinding rather than your own teeth. Bringing your guard with you to each dentist appointment you have will help ensure that it is still fitting and working properly to protect your smile. 

Call Stonebrook Family Dental 

If you are ready to protect your teeth while you sleep, make an appointment to get a custom-fit night guard with Stonebrook Family Dental today: (303)-872-7907.