It is estimated that 30-40 million people in the United States grind their teeth at night. Chronic tooth grinding can exert 200 pounds of pressure per square inch, which can lead to tooth fractures and other oral health issues. One way that you can protect your teeth from grinding while you sleep is to invest in night guards. 

Do you want to learn more about how night guards work, the benefits of using a night guard, and more? Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about wearing night guards for teeth grinding!

What Are Night Guards?

Night guards are a type of dental appliance that is removable and customized to fit your upper or lower teeth. They are used to protect your teeth, whether you deal with chronic tooth grinding, mandibular dysfunction, or any other oral health issues. 

They are often used to protect your teeth from clenching and grinding. While you can find different types of night guards in the store or online, it is often better to have your dentist create a customized mold of your teeth to get the best results from your night guards. 

While a night guard may not stop you from grinding your teeth at night, it will at least act as a cushion between your teeth and will allow your teeth to wear down the night guard rather than each other. 

Who Should Use Night Guards?

Many people could benefit from wearing custom nightguards. One of the most common reasons why people need to use a night guard is if they suffer from chronic clenching or teeth grinding. This is also known as bruxism. 

Wearing a night guard will prevent their teeth from getting worn down while they sleep and will prevent them from waking up with a sore jaw. 

Even if you don't have issues with chronic grinding, you may grind your teeth when you are under stress. If you are experiencing a stressful time in your life, you may want to start wearing a night guard when you are sleeping. 

Often, your dentist will tell you if you need to use a night guard and will provide you with options to choose from.

Types of Night Guards

There are many different types of night guards that you can choose from, each ranging in price. 

One of the cheapest types of night guards you can buy is generic, over-the-counter night guards that don't offer any customization. While these are very inexpensive, they are also low-quality. The cheapest options for night guards are typically made out of cheap plastic. 

Not only can this cheap plastic contain harmful materials that could potentially damage your health, but it may also break down faster than other options. 

Next, you can buy boil and bite nightguards. These are also cheap options, but allow you to slightly customize the fit of the mouth guard. Still, they are made from low-quality material that will need to be replaced regularly.

The best option for a night guard is a custom dental night guard. These are made from a mold of your teeth so they are fully customized to fit your mouth. This offers the highest level of protection for your teeth and is typically made from the most durable materials.

Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard

There are many night guard benefits that you should consider when looking for treatment options for your teeth grinding and clenching. 

One of the biggest benefits of wearing a night guard is that it will protect your teeth and prevent tooth damage. Because grinding and clenching your teeth puts so much pressure on your teeth, it can cause your teeth to wear out more quickly and can lead to chipped or broken teeth. 

A night guard acts as a protective cover for your teeth while you sleep, which will help you avoid this unnecessary wear and tear during the night. Not only will it help you avoid damaging your natural teeth, but it will also protect your tooth restorations and dentures and can prevent other dental problems. 

Another great benefit of wearing a night guard while you sleep is that it will improve your sleep. When you clench your teeth at night, your facial muscles will constantly be tensed. With a night mouth guard, you can reduce the tension in your face and your body will be able to more fully relax. 

You will also find that you do not wake up with a headache in the morning due to teeth clenching and grinding. Many people even find that wearing a night guard allows them to keep their mouths open more while they sleep, which makes it easier to breathe. This can even help those that have mild sleep apnea. 

Lastly, night guards reduce symptoms of TMJ, also known as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. This is a problem caused by chronic jaw clenching and can lead to jaw pain, sounds while you chew, and even headaches. Because your night guard prevents you from clenching your jaw, it can reduce the tension in your jaw joint and muscles and can reduce your TMJ symptoms. 

When you wear a night guard, you will not deal with as many jaw aches. 

Still, if you have TMJ, you should talk with your local dentist about treatment options before you invest in a custom night guard. 

Order Custom Night Guards Today

When you deal with chronic teeth grinding, it can cause serious issues. Not only can it damage your teeth, but it can also lead to headaches, poor sleep, and more. Investing in a custom night guard can help you avoid these unpleasant symptoms!

If you want to learn more about the benefits of wearing a night guard, Arverne Dental can help! We create custom molded night guards that can help you protect your teeth. 

Contact us today to see if you are a night guard candidate or to schedule an appointment with our dental experts!