Have you ever been told that you grind your teeth while you sleep? Does your jaw feel sore when you’ve just woken up? If you want to avoid this behavior, you can use a night guard to stop the unnecessary teeth grinding.

But what is a night guard, and why should you use it? Keep on reading to learn more.

What Is a Night Guard?

A night guard is a mouth guard that can be used when you sleep. Although it’s similar to a mouth guard used during sports, it’s not the same type. It can be used for several purposes, for example, to protect teeth from ill-fitting braces or to protect your teeth from grinding.

There is a night guard for every type of teeth grinding. The guard is made up of thin plastic, or it can be a custom-made device, depending on the patient’s needs.

What Are the Types of Night Guards?

Night guards can be made from different materials. Your dentist will decide which material to use, depending on your needs.

1. Over-The-Counter Night Guard

An over-the-counter night guard is a device that you can purchase without the help of a dentist. These night guards are made from a plastic material and are much cheaper than custom-made devices. They are easy to use, but they have some disadvantages. They aren’t as comfortable as custom-made devices, and they also can be too large for some people.

2. Hard Night Guard

A hard night guard is made from a rigid material such as resin or acrylic. This type of device is more comfortable than an over-the-counter device but it is more expensive than an over-the-counter type.

3. Custom Night Guard

You can obtain a custom-made night guard from an oral clinic. The dental lab will take a mold of your teeth and create a custom device. You will have to wait while the night guard is made, usually between two and four weeks.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Night Guard?

There are many benefits to using a night guard. Some of these benefits include:

1. Protect Your Teeth from Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition in which you grind your teeth in your sleep. This can cause your teeth to become chipped or broken. A night guard can protect your teeth from bruxing by absorbing the pressure from your teeth grinding.

2. Avoid Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

If you grind your teeth at night, you are more likely to develop a temporomandibular joint syndrome, or TMD, which is characterized by pain in the jaw and neck area. Using a night guard can help you avoid developing TMD.

3. Relieve Tension from Snoring

Everyone snores from time to time, but you may suffer from sleep apnea if you snore every night. A blocked or obstructed airway can cause sleep apnea. When you use a night guard, you can prevent sleep apnea.

Final Thoughts

If you want to eliminate your teeth grinding habit, use a night guard to protect your teeth. If you’ve tried over-the-counter devices and didn’t like them, talk to your dentist about a custom-made device.

Get a consultation on your bruxism and the possibility of using night guards with a professional dentist in Tucson here at CFF Dental. Book an appointment now to get started!