Night Guards :
A night guard is a plastic device that covers all or part of the teeth. It is also known as a mouth guard or dental split. It is typically worn throughout the night to prevent teeth grinding while sleeping.
If you’ve ever watched a contact sport like rugby, boxing, or ice hockey, you may have noticed athletes wearing brightly colored or transparent protective devices in their mouths. It is known as a mouthguard. It has been used to protect athletes’ teeth and gums in a variety of contact sports.
This prompted the development of another protective dental device, known as a night guard, to alleviate teeth grinding, or bruxism. Over the years, the device has improved the lives of millions of people worldwide and assisted many more with a variety of dental issues.
The Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard:
Even though night guards were designed to treat bruxism, they can also be used to treat a variety of other dental conditions. The following are some conditions that can be alleviated by using night guards.
1. To compensate for the effects of bruxism:
This is, of course, the most important reason to wear a night guard. Nighttime teeth grinding, also known as nocturnal bruxism, can wear away enamel and cause cracks, chips, and decay in teeth. It can also cause tongue indentations, jaw locking, and a variety of other serious issues. A night guard can help to reduce the impact of nocturnal bruxism and the damage it causes to the teeth and enamel.
2. Obstructive sleep apnea:
Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and breathing assistance devices can be used to treat the disorder. Even though night guards aren’t the best sleep apnea treatment option, they can be useful for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
3. Avoids temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems:
The TMJ serves as a sliding hinge between the jawbone and the skull. Severe bruxism puts a lot of pressure on the joint, resulting in TMJ disorder and misaligned teeth. A good quality nightguard can relieve the muscles around the jaw and relieve pressure on the TMJ.
4. Eliminates plaque buildup:
Aside from treating bruxism, a night guard can be useful in a variety of other situations, such as preventing plaque buildup. Plaque forms when bacteria and food particles come into contact with the teeth during the night. Wearing a night guard after brushing and flossing properly, on the other hand, reduces the likelihood of plaque formation.
Prevent changes to your bite:
Night guards can help to prevent bite changes as well as correct various types of malocclusions, or misaligned teeth. Even though night guards cannot correct severe malocclusions, they can be extremely helpful in mild cases. Before using a night guard, it is best to consult with a qualified and experienced dentist who can provide the best night guard based on the condition of your teeth.
Night guard classifications:
Here are some examples of popular night guards.
- Custom-made:
Night guards that are custom-made or custom-fit are specially designed based on an impression of a person’s teeth to meet their specific needs. They are more comfortable and provide the best protection against plaque formation and cavities. They can last a long time if properly cared for.
- Over-the-counter fit:
These night guards, also known as stock-sized night guards, are pre-molded to fit any mouth and are widely available in pharmacies, online stores, and drug stores. They can protect against nighttime teeth grinding as well as other conditions such as sleep apnea and plaque buildup, but they don’t fit very well and may not last very long.
- Adjustable fit:
These over-the-counter night guards have adjustable components that allow them to be customized. If you don’t have the time to wait for a custom-made nightguard, these are extremely useful.
- Boil-and-bite:
These are stock night guards that must be softened in boiling water before being worn. The softening process ensures that it fits snugly in your mouth. However, because the night guard is not custom-made for your teeth, using it for an extended period of time can result in bite shifting.
- Hard night guards:
Acrylic, a transparent engineering plastic material with exceptional stiffness, strength, and optical clarity, is used to make these night guards. They are the most durable night guards and can treat severe bruxism and TMJ disorders.
Things to think about when purchasing a night guard:
Because there are various types of night guards, it is critical to consider the following factors before purchasing one.
- Teeth condition:
Before choosing a night guard, consider the state of your teeth and the best type to treat your condition. People with overcrowded or crooked teeth should wear custom-made night guards. Individuals who suffer from severe teeth grinding and clenching should wear hard night guards.
- Comfort:
Night guards are not all the same. Some are more comfortable than others and can be worn for extended periods of time. The comfort factor must be considered when selecting a night guard. A custom-made night guard is extremely comfortable for someone who has sensitive teeth.
Finally, night guards are extremely effective in the treatment of bruxism and other dental conditions. Partha Dental creates custom-made night guards for maximum comfort and various tooth conditions. Contact us to schedule an appointment if you need a night guard. Visit our service page to learn more about what we offer.
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