Night Guards And Everything You Need To Know About Them

Chronic headaches? Teeth grinding and clenching? You might have a condition called bruxism. If you do, your dentist might prescribe night guards for you. Here’s everything you need to know about them.

What Are Night Guards?

Night Guards, also known as splints occlusal guards, are devices designed to protect your teeth from damage. Typically made of plastic, they fit over your teeth and absorb the force that grinding and clenching exert. Whether they’re custom-made or purchased in stock, night guards come in three types:

• Soft night guards: These are for the light grinders. Soft splints get their name from their comfortable and flexible materials, making them ideal for patients who grind in their sleep. On the flip side, these have the shortest lifespans.
• Hard night guards: For the severe grinders. These are made of firmer stuff and are built to endure heavy grinding and the test of time. They unfortunately come with less comfort.
• Dual laminate night guards: Also called hybrid night guards, these have soft interiors and hard external surfaces. This mix of both worlds falls right between the first choices; not too comfortable, not too bulky. Often recommended to heavy grinders.

What Are The Benefits?

If you unconsciously grind your teeth or regularly wake up with a sore jaw, you may have bruxism. Bruxism (teeth-grinding) is a condition that affects up to 30% of Americans and can cause fractured teeth, headaches, and jaw pain. This is where occlusal guards come in. The benefits include:

• Pain relief: Regular grinding can never be comfortable. Whether your jaws suffer from a dull ache or a sharp flash, occlusal guards reduce the tension on your jaws and the pain that follows afterwards.
• Better sleep: If you’ve noticed a dive in your sleep quality, that’s a side effect of being a night grinder. Easing the discomfort will let you enjoy a good night’s rest.
• Damage prevention: Too much grinding will take a toll on your enamel and fillings. Worse, you may even break a tooth. night guards will keep your teeth whole.
• Headache relief: The pressure from clenching your jaw reaches your skull. night guards help to relax your jaw muscles and prevent tension-type headaches.

Note that night guards are not a cure for bruxism. Using night guards should not stop you from seeking treatment.

How Much Do Splints Cost?

Custom occlusal guards from your dentist can cost anywhere from $300-800, depending on your area and the specific type of night guard you need. It may sound expensive, but keep in mind that the cost is less than that of a dental crown and you’ll get to prevent tooth damage from excessive grinding. 

Of course, there are over-the-counter ones that you can get at about a tenth or so of the price of professionally-made night guards, but you get what you pay for. OTC night guards are cheap, but they won’t do much for your teeth. And in many cases, they can even make the problem worse and lead to more bite problems than you started out with. 

How Do You Care For Night Guards?

The bacteria that build up in your mouth can easily migrate to your night guards and vice versa. To avoid this, here’s how to care for your night guards:

• Brush and floss beforehand. A cleaner mouth means a cleaner night guard.
• Clean your night guard after every use. Use a mild toothpaste or a rinse with dishwashing soap, preferably with a separate toothbrush.
• Let it dry. This will keep bacteria from multiplying.
• Don’t forget the case. The bacteria your night guard picks up depends largely on where you store it. 
• Choose a washable case and clean it regularly.

Make sure your night guard fits properly. 

Make sure to go to your dentist if you feel you need a splint. Not only will the night guard be customized to your mouth, your dentist will also be able to provide you with real and effective treatment. Call us at 541-708-6288 to schedule an appointment.