What is a Night Guard?
Night guards are made from a durable acrylic material. They are very similar to athletic mouthguards, the key difference being that night guards are customized for each patient’s oral needs. At our office, we form impressions of your teeth that we use to mold precise guards which won’t get in the way of breathing or sleeping.
In addition to stopping bruxism and the pain that comes from teeth grinding, night guards protect your mouth from gum irritation, tooth enamel damage, and even TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. And by wearing a night guard, you can keep teeth grinding from wearing down, flattening, and even cracking your teeth, the damage for which you can wind up needing future dental restorations like crowns, root canals, or even tooth replacements.
At Forestville Family Dental, we fit you with a safe and comfortable night guard that protects your teeth from further damage without making it hard for you to fall asleep.
Caring for your Night Guard
Taking care of your night guard takes as much adjustment as wearing it. But the better you care for it, the longer it will last. These are a few best practices to consider.
- Always rinse a night guard right after wearing it.
- Lightly brush your night guard with a toothbrush but do not use toothpaste, which will do damage to the night guard’s material.
- Lay your night guard on a clean surface and let it dry completely so that bacteria won’t grow on it.
- Store your night guard in a case that you clean regularly. Consider storing your night guard in a dark, cool place, somewhere that won’t affect the night guard’s shape.
- Give your night guard a deep clean every week by soaking it for thirty minutes in a denture cleaner or mixture of mouthwash and water.
Get in Touch for a Custom Night Guard and Protect Your Teeth & Jaw from Grinding
If you think you are dealing with teeth clenching and grinding in your sleep, please reach out to us so we can set up an appointment. It’s our philosophy to provide our patients proper information in order for them to achieve proper dental health.
During our appointment, we’ll do an examination of your teeth and discuss night grinding as well as several factors – including alcohol consumption, caffeine use, and gum chewing – which can increase the risk of you grinding your teeth in your sleep. Between a customized night guard and dental routine-related choices, we’ll find the best approach for your health.
