Bruxism is a condition that is characterized by excessive jaw clenching or teeth grinding and can be treated in a variety of ways. One of the treatment options can be night guards or mouth guards – the coverings worn over one’s teeth in order to protect them from injury and excessive teeth grinding that grinding causes (1).
Who Requires A Mouth Guard?
Usually, a mouthguard should be used by any adult or child who plays contact sports like boxing, football, soccer, basketball, ice hockey, field hockey, as well as lacrosse. However, even those individuals who participate in non-contact sports, such as gymnastics, for instance, as well as people who participate in recreational activity (mountain biking, skateboarding) can also benefit from wearing mouthguards to minimize the chances of getting injuries, including severe ones. Those children and adults who grind teeth at night should also wear a nightguard, bite splint, or nocturnal bite plate for preventing tooth damage.
Bruxism Guard And Types Of Night Guards
Wearing a night guard can be a simple solution if you suffer from bruxism. After all, all you need to do is simply pop an appliance between the teeth before you go to bed. However, selecting the night guard may require more effort. Considering the fact that there are many kinds of night guards, the selection process might feel overwhelming and you may doubt whether or not you are making the right choice. To avoid this confusion, the best thing you can do is to understand all the options you have while keeping important factors in mind; this will help you to choose the night guard that is aligned with your needs and requirements. There are three types of nightguards you can choose from which are:
1. Stock ones. This type of nightguard is preformed, meaning it comes ready to wear. One of the things some people like about this mouthguard is its price; it is not expensive and you can buy it at almost any sporting goods store as well as a department store. But it has its con too; there’s very little you can do when it comes to adjusting its fit. Moreover, it’s quite bulky and may make talking and breathing difficult. It can’t provide you with a high level of protection either, so because of all its disadvantages, dentists don’t recommend the use of a stock mouth protector.
2.’The boil and bite” ones. You can buy this type of nightguard at a lot of sporting goods stores. Compared to stock mouthguards, they can be a much better fit. It’s made from thermoplastic material and you can place it in hot water in order to soften it. Then you can place it in your mouth and shape it around your teeth by using your finger as well as tongue pressure.
3. Custom-fitted ones. This night guard is made in the dental office or the professional laboratory while following the dentist’s instructions. The dentist makes the impression of one’s teeth, after which a mouth guard gets molded over a model by using a special material.
Because of the use of this special material and plus all the work and time involved, the custom-made nightguard tends to be more pricey than all the other types, however, it is worth the price since it can provide you with high-quality protection as well as much needed comfort.
Material Also Matters
Nightguards that are produced in professional laboratories usually come in the following versions:
- Soft night guards. They are made from rubbery, flexible materials, designed for moderate or light grinders.
- Hard night guards. They are made from high-quality, much firmer plastic, built for withstanding a strain of severe or heavy grinding. In other words, it is the right fit for heavy grinders.
- Hybrid night guards. They are sometimes referred to as dual-laminate night guards as well. They cover the soft inner core with a much harder outer layer for providing heavy grinders with both protection and comfort.
Keep in mind that when you are selecting the night guard, it is of crucial importance that you choose the right material, appropriate for the level of bruxism you suffer from. In addition, ensure that you pay attention to all the exact materials that are used. For instance, a lot of grinders tend to be wary of exposure to bisphenol A, the chemical that is used in certain plastics. The reason is that it’s linked to a number of health issues. Fortunately, BPA-free mouth guards are quite easy to find so you don’t have to worry about any of that.
Lower Teeth And Upper Teeth Night Guards
Nightguards are typically made to fit the lower teeth or upper teeth. Both of those options are efficient when it comes to protecting your teeth, so making a choice between them mainly depends on which fit is the best for you. The night guards designed for one’s upper teeth tend to be more common. Moreover, they can stay in place well most of the time, and they do not block a tongue either. However, individuals who have dental work on the upper teeth or sensitive gag reflex might find the night guard designed for the lower teeth much more comfortable. Additionally, for people who have sleep apnea, the dentists recommend night guards designed for lower teeth.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, being aware of all the important factors that come with choosing the night guard, including the right fit and comfort it provides, is of crucial importance; it can help you to feel more confident while using the night guard. Moreover, exploring what to expect as you are adjusting to wearing the night guard may be helpful as well. Keeping the benefits that come with wearing it can be useful too.
Now that you already have enough information about night guards and the benefits they offer, all you should do now is to keep this information in mind to choose the right fit for you so that you can protect your teeth and mouth from any severe damage and finally get rid of bruxism.
