Night Guard Lab from China

Night Guard FAQ Guide

1. What is a night guard?

Night guards are plastic-like braces that can be hard or soft. It covers the occlusal surface, protects and cushions your teeth from excessive wear and tear, and helps rebuild the natural space between your upper and lower teeth.  Sleeping with a night guard is the most effective way to treat bruxism. Wearing the right night guard can prevent wear and tear, and reduce noise when your loved one sleeps.

Since patients’ teeth are shaped differently, the night guard is custom-made for each patient and can be shaped to fit your teeth without the risk of being uncomfortable or unnecessarily bulky. It goes by many names; so when you hear a dentist say, dental guards, mouth guards, nocturnal bite plates, or bite splints, they mean the same thing.

2. What are the benefits of wearing a night guard?

Here are some of the most common benefits of wearing night guards:

Clenching and grinding your teeth severely affects your muscles and breathing, resulting in less air being drawn in and more snoring. Braces are used to keep your jaw apart while you sleep. With a mouthguard, you can have better air intake and enjoy a comfortable and relaxing sleep.

• Prevents Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

As you chew, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull. As you clench your teeth in your sleep, you apply pressure to the TMJ, which can cause misalignment. When misaligned, you develop TMJ dysfunction. The disorder causes difficulty in chewing, pain around and in your ear, and even headaches. Disk displacement can also occur if you damage the articular disk, which is irreparable.. You may have to visit the ER if your jaw suddenly locks open or closes. Wearing a night guard prevents the disorder’s development because it eases any tension you can cause in the muscles.

• Reduce jaw tension and pain

Wearing a mouth guard can significantly reduce jaw tension and pain caused by the temporomandibular joint. Because they are customized to the structure of your teeth, they fit perfectly in your mouth. When you sleep, the pressure on your jaw joints and muscles is removed, allowing your jaw to relax.

• Prevent chronic headaches

Chronic neck pain and headache are often the first symptoms of bruxism, as TMJ dysfunction manifests through migraines. Tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, mouth, and jaw can cause headaches. Before you rush to diagnose yourself with bruxism, however, you can check that headaches are indeed caused by grinding and clenching your teeth. One way to do this is to look at the surfaces of the teeth; if they are not pointed, but flat, it’s likely that you grind your teeth while you sleep. Another approach is to look for the recession of the gums and bones, which can occur as a result of clenching. Custom night guards eliminate headaches because you no longer need tense muscles.

3. How many types of night guards are there on the market?

The American Sleep Association classifies it based on material from night guards:

1) Hard Night Guard

These are made of acrylic and are used to treat temporomandibular joints as well as severe grinding and clenching. As the muscles relax, the bite changes as the jaw position itself in a healthy center position. Adjusting the bite of your mouthguard can help your muscles and jaw relax. Because solid escorts are made of sturdy materials, they are the most durable type.

2) Over-the-counter night guards

Drugstores have over-the-counter night guards, and they’re all-purpose; they’re pre-shaped to fit any mouth. They also have the option of night guards that are cooked to bite but have to be softened in hot water to fit better. Unfortunately, prolonged use of these devices can cause changes in your bite because they are not designed specifically for the shape of your teeth.

3) Customized night guards

This is a personalized solution as they are made from impressions of your teeth. Dentists use professional materials and techniques to design more comfortable nightwear for you. With proper care and adjustment, these pieces of furniture are durable enough to last for years.

4. What are the pros and cons of dental night guards?

A night guard is just like the mouthguard that athletes use on the sports field. It can be fitted over the upper or lower teeth to create a physical barrier that prevents damage from grinding and encourages jaw muscle relaxation.

1) Advantages of dental night guard

• They are easy to use. Using night guards is simple. Just put it in your mouth before going to bed.
• They prevent tooth damage. Wearing night guards can keep your teeth from grinding all the time. You might still be clenching your teeth, technically, but the night guard will keep the damage to a minimum.
• They support better sleep. People with bruxism often experience poor sleep due to full or partial awakening as they cling to things. Wearing a night guard breaks that mold.
• They are adjustable. Your dentist can adjust the custom night guard to make it better for you.

Special night guards treat various conditions. Night guards aren’t just for bruxism. They can also be used to treat temporomandibular disorders, sleep apnea, and misplaced bites. Working with your dentist can provide hands-on, personalized care.

There is no perfect treatment for bruxism, even though night guards are highly recommended.

2) Disadvantages of night guard

• Waiting time. Night guards are bespoke. Your dentist will make an impression on your mouth in the office. Depending on the type of night guard you need, you can create guards in the field, but sometimes you need to send them to the lab and wait for the equipment to be crafted. It takes time.
• Cost. Many insurance plans don’t include night guards, so they can be expensive. They also need to be replaced regularly.

5. How to get a custom night guard?

The process of using a tooth protector during sleep is simple and painless. Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth. This mold is used to make molds, and the lab will use durable plastic to make your night guard. Once done, the dentist will check the guard to make sure it fits. Then you just have to wear the guard while you sleep. It may seem a little odd at first, but most of our patients get used to wearing nighttime gear quickly. The guards won’t interfere with your breathing and you can still speak normally. Most people who complain about uncomfortable mouth guards are either wearing over-the-counter equipment or wearing ill-fitting equipment.

6. How to choose a night guard?

Usually, upper dental night care is recommended because they are not as easy to remove as lower dental night care. Although, a dentist may recommend low wrist braces as they are easier and more comfortable to wear. Regardless, the night guard you need is one that protects your teeth without affecting your natural bite.

Since night mouth guards can be worn on the top or bottom of your teeth, you may be wondering which is best for you to maximize your prevention of teeth grinding. You should consider the following factors when making your decision:

An uncomfortable night guard probably won’t get into your mouth because you’re afraid to wear it. Therefore, comfort should be your priority. If you grind your teeth subconsciously during the day, you should use a lower mouthguard. It’s less conspicuous, and you most likely don’t want to be noticed. Also, if you have a sensitive gag reflex, a low night guard is appropriate. However, an upper night guard is usually more invasive, as it is larger and bulkier than a lower night guard.

The condition of your teeth should play a role in helping you decide on the ideal night guard. Because the custom Night guard is made based on your teeth prints, you should choose a set that doesn’t have too many missing and crooked teeth. That way, you’ll have a better fit.

7. How much does a night guard cost?

The cost of a custom night guard will vary depending on the exact specifications of the materials and appliances used. In most cases, a night guard cost is far less than veneers, crowns, root canals, or other treatments used to correct damage from grinding and clenching. If your dentist thinks nighttime prevention is the right treatment for bruxism or temporomandibular syndrome, Robust will provide you with an estimated cost. If you have dental insurance, all or part of the cost may be reimbursed.

8. How long can night guard last?

Night guard usually lasts 2 to 5 years. Guards can even last up to ten years if they are well-made. However, the lifespan of a night guard depends entirely on how badly you grind your teeth. The more exposed it is to the pressure of molars, the thinner it becomes and the more likely it is to break.

9. How to properly care for your new night guard?

Now that you have a night guard, it’s important to take proper care of it so it can protect your teeth for as long as possible. Your daily oral health should include nighttime cleanings. Follow these complete instructions to clean your night gear and it should stay in great shape for years to come!

• Wash immediately after wearing

Every time you put on your night guard, rinse them with warm water immediately after removing them from your mouth. This will remove debris and loosen any patches stuck to the night guard.

• Brush your teeth with a toothbrush

After rinsing, lightly brush the night guard with a regular toothbrush. Some people prefer to use a separate toothbrush at night, but if you want to use the same toothbrush you brush with every day, that’s fine.

Note: You don’t need to put toothpaste on your toothbrush. Because toothpaste is abrasive, it can scratch your night guard and make them wear out faster. Dish soap or castile soap is a great non-abrasive everyday cleaner.

• Put the night guard on a clean surface and let it dry completely

It is important to let your night guard dry completely before storing to prevent rapid bacterial growth. Choose a clean, flat surface and let your night guard dry. Within 15-30 minutes, it should be dry.

• Put your Night Guard in a chest

When you’re not wearing a night guard, it’s important to keep it in a case. Many people keep a night guard in the bathroom, but over time, the steam and humidity in the bathroom can cause the night guard to deform. We recommend that you keep a night guard on your bedroom or nightstand. Be careful not to place your night guard anywhere where extreme hot or cold temperatures can occur. Be aware that pets love new chew toys, please keep your night guard safe with your pet.

• Monthly deep cleaning of your night guard

Get in the habit of deep cleaning your night guard at least once a month. There are several ways to accomplish this.

The first method is to use an over-the-counter, non-abrasive denture cleaner. Simply place your guard in a glass or bowl filled with water and allow the cleaner to completely dissolve in the water. The second way to deep clean your night guard is to use a mixture of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. For at least 30 minutes, soak the night guard in distilled white vinegar. After soaking, rinse the shield and bowl with water. Then soak in hydrogen peroxide for at least 30 minutes. Once done, rinse with water and let the night guard dry completely.

Tip: Don’t let your night guard soak in anything for more than an hour. Prolonged exposure to liquids can damage the material of your night guard. Also, don’t soak in any alcoholic liquids, including Listerine.

If you put a clean night guard in a dirty box, then cleaning the night guard is a waste of effort. Hand washes with regular dish soap or Castile soap every few days to keep the crust clean. Avoid putting plastic boxes in the dishwasher, as high temperatures can melt or deform plastic boxes. After washing, let the case dry to prevent bacterial growth.

It is advised to wash your night guards at least once a month. Over-the-counter denture cleaners are non-abrasive. Put your night guard in a container with water, and the cleaner dissolved into it.

10. What is the difference between a sports mouth guard and a night guard?

There are actually some clear differences between a sports dental guard and a night guard. Here we would like to explain from two main perspectives.

1) Prevent Plaque Development

Despite the similar names, you shouldn’t confuse sports mouthguards with mouthguards that prevent grinding and clenching. Sports mouthguards do more harm than good. It covers the teeth and gums as it protects them from blunt instruments. If worn at night, it can trap bacteria on the surface of your gums while you sleep because saliva cannot reach your gums while wearing a sports mouthguard.

Saliva helps neutralize the acids that cause tooth decay and flushes away food particles, preventing the development of plaque. Therefore, when looking for a night guard, it is best to consult an oral hygiene professional to avoid damaging your teeth. It’s worth noting that some night guards have holes in them that allow saliva to touch your teeth. Therefore, a dentist will provide you with the correct design based on the condition of your teeth.

2) Prevent Changing Your Bite

Night guards are usually mounted precisely on your teeth and teeth, as their purpose is to protect the tooth surfaces from rubbing against each other. Because sports mouthguards are soft and made of thicker rubber material, they are not designed for your bite. Soft material will make you chew while you sleep because the brain interprets it as food. This can cause muscle discomfort and premature wear of the soft material on the pad. If you choose to wear a sports mouthguard at night, it can cause your bite force to change over time. After a while, the effect will show when something you bite changes.

11. Can I drink while wearing a night protector?

Yes, it is OK to drink water with braces. Be sure to floss and brush your teeth before wearing to make sure there are no food and bacteria that can cause cavities and stains in your braces.

12. Can the night guards change your teeth?

Night guard can change your teeth, especially if it’s not made for your mouth. If you use an over-the-counter night guard or one that only covers your front teeth, chances are your back teeth will be displaced due to the pressure exerted by your lower jaw. That’s why it’s better to wear a custom night guard, as it protects not only the teeth but also the jaw, reducing the chance of tooth shifting.

13. Should you wear a night guard every night?

Yes, you should wear a night guard every night, especially if you have severe bruxism. Not wearing a mouthguard every night can still cause damage to your teeth, just at a much slower rate. You may also experience bruxism side effects if you accidentally wear a mouthguard, especially while sleeping. Your doctor will also recommend how often you should wear a night guard, and you should strictly follow their instructions.

14. Can night guards hurt your teeth?

Night guards are small trays that you put on your teeth while you sleep. These trays provide a protective barrier to prevent damage to your teeth from occurring. They don’t cause any pain when you wear the goggles. When you wear the device for the first time, you may notice it in your mouth. However, after a while, you hardly notice it.

If you experience pain or sore mouth after putting on the night shield, this is a sign that the night shield is not properly seated in your mouth. It may be too large or too small to provide adequate protection. In this case, it is best to go to a TMJ clinic for the proper installation of your night guard.