A dental night guard fits over the upper, lower or both rows of teeth to protect the teeth against night-time grinding -- also called bruxism. Night guards come in two main varieties, store bought and custom-itted dental guards. Custom-fitted guards may be expensive but will be fitted precisely to your teeth.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a disorder where an individual unconsciously grinds and clenches teeth together during the day and at night. Frequent bruxism over a period of years can cause jaw pain and disorder, tooth damage and headaches. Stress is a major factor contributing to bruxism. If you only grind your teeth at night you may not notice the symptoms. Look for flat or chipped teeth and notice if you wake up with jaw pain or sensitivity. A partner may notice that you may a grinding noise while sleeping.
Over-The-Counter Night Guard
Night guards are available to buy over the counter at most drug stores. Look for a night guard in the dental care aisle. Night guards do not come with a custom fit. To fit the guard to your mouth, boil it according to the instructions and press the guard into the mouth to create the bite. At night place the guard in the mouth and clean thoroughly every morning. MayoClinic.com recommends avoiding an over-the-counter night guard because the plastic breaks down easily and does not keep its shape.
Custom Night Guard
Custom night guards are fitted specifically for your bite. Your dentist may take a mold of your teeth to create your night guard. While custom night guards are more effective, they can be cost prohibitive and sometimes are not covered by dental insurance.
Considerations
Always speak to your dentist if you notice any symptoms of bruxism. A night guard will protect your teeth if case you grind your teeth at night. When you grind the teeth, they move against the soft night guard instead of chipping away at the tooth enamel. The American Dental Association recommends a custom night guard instead of an over-the-counter night guard because a night guard that is the proper size of your teeth is more effective at keeping them protected. According to dentist Alan Carr on MayoClinic.com, the effectiveness of night guards is disputed. While night guards can protect the teeth from wearing down and chipping, it does not cure bruxism or stop jaw tenderness and related symptoms.
