Is there an alternative to a night guard?

An occlusal splint works well for patients who seek out mouth corrections. You may grind your teeth because they do not line up properly or because you have an overbite or underbite. The splint will protect the teeth from additional damage while your body learns the proper jaw and teeth placement to reduce grinding.

What type of mouth guard is best for clenching?

In a mechanical sense, an anterior bite guard is the best for jaw clenching because it completely prohibits contact of the posterior teeth. It is also the best for acute pain due to jaw injury because it will be the most efficient at decreasing jaw muscle hyperactivity.

How do you pick a thick night guard?

Generally, night guards with one millimeter of thickness will work well for people with light or moderate bruxism. Most people fit into this category and therefore 1.0 millimeter is the best thickness for most people. A night guard made of thicker materials may not be appropriate for light to moderate teeth grinding.

Should you wear night guard on upper or lower teeth?

Between both upper or lower night guards, the best results come from using a night guard for bottom teeth. People also find that these particular night guards are more comfortable and are a better fit. Night guards for bottom teeth are also less likely to trigger a gag reflex.

Why does dental insurance not cover night guards?

Most dental insurance policies do not cover the cost of a custom-fitted night guard. This is because dental insurance providers claim that it is a preventive measure for preexisting conditions. In fact, the benefits of dental night guards far outweigh the cost.

Can a Nightguard make clenching worse?

The unevenness of tooth contact with the night guard can lead to even more clenching, grinding and TMJ problems.

Should night guard be tight on teeth?

Your Custom Night Guard Should Feel Snug.
When you first put it on, the night guard may feel tight, but it needs to fit securely to stay on your teeth without being held in place with assistance from your jaw. The snug fit will keep the custom night guard in place so that it does not fall out during the night.

How often should night guards be replaced?

A night guard will have an average lifespan of 5 years, but depending upon the wear, it can need replacement in just 1 year.

What type of night guard is best?

Can I soak my night guard in mouthwash?

2- Wash your night guard in mouthwash.
Submerging your night guard in mouthwash will help kill the germs left on your mouthguard. After you have submerged it in mouthwash rinse it with cool water.

What is the difference between night guard and occlusal guard?

What is an Occlusal Guard (Night Guard)? Also known as night guards, occlusal guards are removable dental devices that fit over the teeth. Dentists recommend the device to protect the teeth and prevent deterioration caused by grinding and clenching during the night (the medical term for which is bruxism).

Are night guards from the dentist worth it?

You dentist’s office will take impressions of your teeth so that the dental lab can make a might guard that is the exact match to your teeth. While getting a night guard from your dentist will likely cost several hundred dollars, it can be an extremely worthwhile investment in the long run.

What are 3 common causes of bruxism?

What kind of night guard is best for TMJ?

If you are looking for the best night guard for TMJ then you want an occlusal splint. An occlusal bite splint is a special mouth guard that fits in your mouth and shifts your lower jaw to a more natural positioning where your jaw joint and muscles are comfortable.

Which night guard is better soft or hard?

Night guards must be hard. Hard night guards allow the lower teeth to slide around freely when the lower jaw is in motion. The problem with soft night guards, commonly found at local drug stores, is that they exacerbate bruxism because the jaws naturally want to chew soft things.

✅Best Night Guards for Teeth Grinding [Nocturnal Bruxism] TMJ Dentist Recommended Quick Review

What are the three types of mouth guards?

There are three main types of mouth guards that are used to protect teeth: stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-made.

Do night guards change your jaw?

A properly fitted night guard shifts the jaw and teeth into proper alignment, which can alleviate jaw tension, headaches, pain, and other symptoms of temporomandibular joint syndrome.

What are the different types of night guards?

Can you drink water with a night guard in?

Yes, it is alright to drink water while wearing your mouthguard. Make sure to floss and brush your teeth before wearing them to ensure no food and bacteria will be stuck to risk tooth decay and Mouthguard stains.

Why are night guards only for top teeth?

Most mouthguards are designed to protect only the upper teeth because these teeth stick out slightly more than the bottom teeth and are at greater risk for impact, but if you require a mouthguard to alleviate bruxism or sleep apnea, or if you have braces, your dentist will likely recommend protection for both the top …

Should you wear a night guard every night?

Wearing a night guard on a regular basis can reduce damage to the teeth and dental appliances, minimize jaw aches and morning headaches, and promote more restful sleep. For these reasons, it’s important to take a night guard prescription seriously.

How do I stop my teeth from grinding at night naturally?

Should night guards be tight?

Your night mouth guard should stay firmly in place while you are sleeping, and fit both comfortably and snugly. It should allow you to keep your mouth closed and breathe normally, without shifting.

Which night guard is more comfortable?

The Retainer Night Guard
It will feel very similar to the Hard night guard, but is a bit thinner, making it a bit more comfortable. This is also a great alternative as a replacement for the wire retainers you may have since it’s completely clear and transparent.

Can night guards damage teeth?

A night guard can shift your teeth, most especially if it was not custom-made to make a perfect fit in your mouth. If you use an over the counter night guard or ones that only cover the front teeth, more than likely, your back teeth will shift due to the pressure that your jaw exerts on them.