All about Night Guards
In this crazy world we live in- no one is spared the stress of everyday life. This can unfortunately manifest as you clenching or grinding your teeth- either during the day or when you’re asleep. One of the solutions to this is a night guard which may have been recommended to you by your dentist or you have heard of it yourself and are considering getting one. So let us give you some more information on what a night guard is and whether you really need one.
Its surprising that many people still haven’t heard of a night guard! It is essentially a mouth piece (like a sports guard worn by athletes) that you wear at night to prevent the upper and lower teeth from coming in contact and thus preventing clenching or grinding. A night guard is usually advised when you are grinding/ ‘bruxing’ your teeth and you obviously have no control over it as you sleep.
A night guard is a transparent tray which is thicker than your home bleach trays. The night guard can be soft or hard depending on the severity of your clenching. It is worn only over the top teeth so that it doesn’t cause discomfort when you sleep. There are several ‘stock’ guards that you can even buy online- but we recommend that you visit your dentist and get a custom night guard that is precision fit and is much more comfortable.
Why should you invest in a Nightguard?
The most important reason why you shouldn’t hesitate in getting a nightguard after your dentist recommends it is because it protects your teeth. Chronic heavy force on your teeth can cause cracks and in extreme cases can even cause tooth fracture.
Prolonged grinding wears away the enamel of your teeth- making your teeth sensitive as well as reducing the height of your teeth making them mis-shapen and affecting your overall bite. This can then lead to tooth pain, joint issues and frequent headaches.
Visit Summit Dental Clinic if you think you might need a night guard and we will fabricate a custom night guard for you!