What is a night guard and how does it help protect teeth?
Hey, I'm Dr. Suess from Clackamas Smiles. I'm here to talk to you about night guards. The most common reason someone might need a night guard is if they have a lot of force between their teeth. If you're grinding left and right, front and back, or just squeezing your teeth together, and your jaw muscles are strong enough, you can overload your teeth. If you're putting too many forces on your teeth and they're wearing down prematurely, that's a good reason to get a night guard to protect the surfaces in between them.
How does a night guard help with teeth grinding?
Think of a night guard as like a helmet for your teeth. If you're going to be crashing into something and playing sports, you wear protective gear. For your teeth, if you have a strong bite and heavy muscles doing a lot of wear and tear, the night guard acts like a helmet to protect against that wear and tear.
Can a night guard reduce clenching or grinding teeth at night?
If you're a person who's a grinder, you might stay a grinder. It's rare that we give someone a night guard and they stop grinding. What's more common is you're still grinding, but you have protection. Your night guard acts like a helmet on the surface of the teeth, so even though they're crashing together, they don't wear and tear as much when you have that protection.
What are the benefits of using a night guard for TMJ?
If you're someone with pain in the jaw joints or chewing muscles, and you tell me you have TMJ, it often means you have pain when chewing or resting your jaw. A night guard can help by covering the surface of the tooth, protecting it from damage, and allowing your jaw to be in a rested position, which can alleviate some TMJ symptoms.
Can a night guard help with snoring or sleep apnea?
We often have to address this, as some people think a night guard will stop snoring. The appliances for snoring or sleep apnea are specialty appliances that pull the jaw forward and lift the tongue off the back of the throat. That's not the same as a night guard, which protects from clenching and grinding, so don't count on a night guard to stop snoring.
What are the differences between over-the-counter and custom night guards?
A patient might come in with an online "night guard," which is often just a thin piece of plastic, essentially a retainer. A true night guard is thicker and balanced to fit your teeth. If you don't have a record of how the top and bottom teeth fit together in a flat plane, you likely didn't get a night guard.
What is a night guard, and how is it designed for grinding?
A night guard is like a helmet for your teeth, protecting them from high forces and grinding wear and tear. A grinding night guard is the same as a regular one if it's made properly—thick enough to protect the teeth, balanced to your bite, and comfortable to fit.
Are there specific night guards for teeth grinding versus clenching?
If you're clenching or grinding, both are damaging. Whether you're moving your teeth or holding them stable, you're overloading them. A night guard is useful for both scenarios.
How do I know if I need a custom night guard?
If you need a night guard, you need a custom one. Over-the-counter options aren't long-term effective or balanced to your teeth, no matter the marketing.
Are custom night guards more effective than store-bought options?
Store-bought options are fine for children and sports, but not for night guards that need to be balanced to your bite. Custom night guards are necessary for proper fit and comfort.
How do I properly clean a night guard?
To clean your night guard, use a toothbrush with plain water. Avoid strong products. If it has calcium buildup, bring it to us for professional cleaning.
How often should a night guard be replaced?
There's no set expiration for a night guard. They can last from 1 to 15 years. On average, they last 3 to 5 years before showing wear.
Are night guards expensive, and does dental insurance cover them?
Night guards typically cost less than half of a crown. They are a low insurance policy to help prevent tooth breakage.
What should I do if my night guard causes discomfort or doesn't fit properly?
If your night guard isn't fitting comfortably, let us know. We can usually adjust it to fit better. It's important for it to be comfortable so you'll wear it and get the benefits.
Hopefully, I've answered your questions about night guards and protecting your teeth against forces. If you think you might need a night guard, give us a call or stop by. We're happy to take a look.