What is a Dental Night Guard?
A dental nightguard, also known as an occlusal splint or bite guard, is a removable dental appliance that is worn during sleep to protect the teeth and jaws from the damaging effects of teeth grinding and clenching, also known as bruxism.
Okay, there is the definition - now that we got that out of the way let’s discuss what the official term for “teeth grinding” is and what it means for you.
Bruxism (the term dentists use for “grinding”) is a common condition characterized by the unconscious grinding, clenching, or gnashing of teeth. It often occurs during sleep and can lead to various dental problems such as tooth wear, tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, headaches, and even cracked or broken teeth. Annoyingly, teeth grinding can also occur subconsciously during the day (we will talk in a later post about ways to tackle this).
A dental nightguard is custom-made to fit to your teeth and provides a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from coming into direct contact with each other. Think of a night guard as an oral appliance for grinding - also termed “bruxism night guard, anti-grinding mouth guard, etc”. These appliances are important because they help distribute the forces generated by grinding and clenching, reducing the impact on the teeth and jaws.
A nightguard also helps to relax the jaw muscles and reduce muscle tension, alleviating symptoms associated with bruxism. So your night guard can essentially be two fold:
1) protecting you from grinding your teeth
AND
2) also aiding in preventing clenching driven TMJ pain.
Nightguards are typically made of a clear, rigid material or a softer, more flexible material. The type of nightguard recommended by a dentist may depend on the severity of the bruxism and other individual factors. We offer a couple different types of bite guards for teeth grinding and the first step to finding out the right one for you is a dental exam! If my team and I think you would benefit from a custom dental night guard we will discuss your goals, answer any questions, and then proceed with making your night guard. First we take impressions or digital scans of your teeth. This is sent to our high quality lab who creates a custom-fit nightguard that provides optimal protection and comfort for you.
Typically a night guard requires two appointments. The first is obtaining relevant diagnostic material (x rays, intra oral photos, etc) and the second appointment is delivery of the appliance where we discuss home care, usage, etc.
If you have any questions - as always feel free to reach out!
