What is a night guard?

A night guard is a type of dental appliance or mouth guard. It is used for one of three purposes:

1. Protect teeth from grinding, also known as bruxism.

2. Relieve discomfort or pain associated with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.

3. Prevent tooth damage.

Do I need a night guard?

Yes. A night guard is an oral appliance that fits over your teeth to protect them from clenching and grinding. Many people clench or grind their teeth at night, without being aware of it. Grinding your teeth can cause jaw pain and stiffness, as well as wear and tear on your teeth.

How do you wear a night guard?

There are two types of night guards — the boil-and-bite type and the pre-fabricated type. The boil-and-bite type requires a dentist to make an impression of your teeth and make an impression of the custom night guard. You then take the night guard home and wear it as instructed by your dentist. The pre-fabricated type of night guard is one that is molded to your teeth by your dentist.

What are the benefits of a night guard?

A night guard can protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding and clenching while you sleep. A custom fit night guard can keep you from biting your cheek or inside your lip, which protects your skin from rashes or irritation.

In addition to protecting your teeth from damage, a night guard can also protect your jaw joints from arthritis. When your teeth move back and forth when you grind and clench, it puts a lot of force on your jaw joints and muscles. This can cause your jaw joints and muscles to swell, leading to jaw pain.

Night guards are not expensive, and your dentist can create a custom fit night guard to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching.

Who should use a night guard?

Night guards are for patients who clench or grind their teeth while sleeping.

The most commonly prescribed night guards are for patients who grind their teeth in their sleep. Grinding or clenching teeth at night is often referred to as “bruxism.” It can cause painful headaches or even damage teeth.

A night guard will protect your teeth from grinding, so you won’t need future dental treatments like fillings or crowns.

How do I care for my night guard?

Night guards should be cleaned regularly. Brushing and rinsing your night guard is important to keep it clean and free from harmful bacteria. After brushing, make sure to rinse it thoroughly with water. Keep your night guard stored in its case when not in use, so it doesn’t collect dust or other debris.

When should I replace my night guard?

Typically, night guards last around 5 years. However, if you tend to grind your teeth, this timeline could be reduced. If you have chipped your night guard, that’s a good indicator that it’s time to replace it.