What is a dental night guard

A night guard is a plastic appliance that fits over your teeth and keeps them from touching while you sleep.

This appliance is typically worn at night to prevent teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which can cause headaches, earaches, and worn teeth.

A night guard is custom made to fit your mouth. It’s made from smooth plastic and is comfortable to wear.

Why wear a night guard

A night guard is a custom-fit dental appliance that you wear only at night. It’s custom-fitted to your mouth and helps protect your teeth from nighttime grinding and clenching.

Your teeth have natural cushioning between your upper and lower teeth, but grinding and clenching removes this protective cushioning. Eventually, this could mean that your teeth are worn down and weakened.

How does a night guard work?

Are you struggling with pain in your jaw, head, or neck when you wake up in the morning?

A night guard is a custom-fitted device worn at night to protect the teeth and jaw from the effects of clenching and grinding.

When you clench or grind your teeth, your jaw muscles are forced to work harder and work harder. This often leads to headaches, jaw pain, or neck pain. A night guard reduces the pressure put on your jaw muscles, which helps ease the discomfort.

Dental night guard vs. over-the-counter night guard

An over-the-counter night guard is made from a soft material, such as plastic or acrylic. The guard is molded to your teeth but isn’t customized to fit your mouth. These guards are less effective than professional night guards.

How long does it take to get a dental night guard?

We can have your night guard ready in just one visit. You’ll need to make molds of your teeth, so you’ll leave our office with molds and an impression of your teeth. Our dental lab will use the impressions to create a plastic tray. We’ll call you to schedule a follow-up appointment, when we’ll receive the finished guard.

How much do dental night guards cost?

_What are dental night guards?_

A night guard is a thin, removable dental appliance that you wear while you’re sleeping. You can use it to treat a variety of dental issues like:

1\. Bruxism

2\. Bruxer’s jaw

3\. TMJ disorder

4\. Teeth grinding

5\. Teeth clenching

6\. Teeth enamel damage

7\. Tooth decay

8\. Tooth sensitivity

9\. Tooth erosion

10\. Headaches

The exact cost of your custom dental night guard will depend on your dental insurance plan. Generally, wearing a night guard is considered to be a medically necessary treatment. That means your insurance provider may pay a portion of the cost.

_How long will my night guard last?_

Typically, dental night guards last about 5-7 years. Most dental providers will recommend that you come in for a dental check-up and professional cleaning about every six months. That way, your night guard can be replaced when necessary.

How often should you replace your night guard

A night guard is a great investment for your oral health. However, just like your toothbrush, a night guard needs to be replaced over time. Your dentist may recommend replacing your night guard every 3-5 years.