Learn 5 Reasons to Wear a Dental Night Guard

It is vital to notice that some nightguards provide holes for saliva to enter your teeth. As a result, a dentist will recommend the best design for you based on the state of your teeth.

Preventing Bite Changes A nightguard is often custom-fit to your teeth and bite in order to keep the surfaces from grinding against each other. Sports mouthguards are not designed to fit your bite because they are soft and made of a thicker rubbery material.

Because the brain interprets softer materials as food, you will chew when sleeping. This may cause muscle pain and early mat wear through the soft material. Your bite will change over time if you wear a sports mouthguard at night. As your bite changes, the effect will become apparent after a while.

Nightguard Classifications

The American Sleep Association categorizes nightguards based on the materials used to make them:

Hard Nightguards

They are composed of acrylic and are used to treat TMJ disorders as well as severe teeth grinding and clenching. The bite alters as the muscles relax because the lower jaw positions itself in a healthy focal posture.

Modifications to the guard’s bite will allow your muscles and jaw to relax. Hard nightguards are the most durable since they are constructed of a sturdy substance.

Nightguards are also categorised as follows:

Over-the-counter

Over-the-counter nightguards are available at drug stores and are one-size-fits-all; they are pre-molded to fit any mouth. Kids can also have boil-and-bite nightguards, which must be softened in hot water for a better fit. Unfortunately, because they were not designed particularly for the shape of your teeth, long-term usage of such devices causes your bite to change.

Custom-made

Because they are formed from an impression of your teeth, they provide a personalized solution. A dentist creates a nightguard specifically for you using expert materials and techniques, making it more comfortable. They are durable enough to last for several years with proper care and modifications.

Things to Think About While Selecting a Lower or Upper Nightguard

While a nightguard can be worn on either the top or bottom set of teeth, you may be wondering which is ideal for you in terms of optimum grinding protection. While making that decision, consider the following factors:

Comfort

Because you dislike wearing it, an uncomfortable nightguard is unlikely to enter your mouth and hence will not benefit you. Remember that you will be spending the night with a device in your mouth, therefore comfort should be your primary consideration.

A lower mouthguard is recommended if you grind your teeth unintentionally during the day. It is less noticeable, and you most likely do not want to call attention to yourself. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, a lower nightguard is also recommended. Yet, because it is larger and heavier than the lower nightguard, an upper nightguard is usually more noticeable.