Night Guards for Bruxism
Dentist Portland OR
 Most patients know it is important to protect their teeth and even their gums. They do this through regular brushing and flossing, and biannual visits to the dentist for a cleaning and exam. What some people fail to realize, or take notice of, however, is protecting their jaw. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching, a condition known as bruxism, can lead to jaw pain, awaking with headaches, and the wear down of teeth. At Hunter Dental Care, we can help protect your teeth and your jaw through the use of customized night guards at our dental clinic.
What is a Night Guard?
Mouth guards, also called night guards, help protect from clenching and grinding the teeth, which patients can do unconciously. This can happen any time of day, but especially at night during sleep. Sports mouth guards are also available to help protect your mouth, teeth, and jaw, from becoming injured during sports. It is important to note; however, these are two different types of mouth guards and they should not be used interchangeably.
A night mouth protector resembles a retainer. The plastic piece may be soft or hard and is used to cover the biting surfaces. You can wear night mouthguards on the top or bottom arch of teeth. A customized night guard tends to be the most suitable for people who grind or clench their teeth because it offers a customized fit to your specific teeth. Our dentist will create your mouth protector by first obtaining an impression that works to mold out the night guard. A custom-fit night guard is comfortable and feels normal and not bulky in your mouth.
Who Needs a Night Guard?
People who suffer from bruxism, a condition where you clench the jaw, grind the teeth, or gnash the teeth, may want to get a night mouth guard. If you have never had a painful jaw and severe headaches, but presently, are experiencing these problems, especially upon waking, and you cannot seem to address them, then you could be experiencing bruxism. Different things cause bruxism, one of them being stress. Bruxism can happen at night or during the day. If it occurs at night, it means you are unconscious, as such, you may not be able to pinpoint effects like headaches to the condition. Sadly, there is no cure for bruxism, so much of the treatment aims at addressing the symptoms. At Hunter Dental Care, we construct customized night guards to help prevent the negative effects of grinding and clenching the teeth.
How to Choose the Right Mouth Guard for You
You may think that your sports mouth guard can take the place of a night guard. However, that is not the case. Although both feature similar names, they work differently. A sports mouth guard protects the teeth and gums from blunt force. So if you wear it at night, it will draw and trap bacteria within the surface of your gums during the time you are asleep. The reason is that when you wear this piece while sleeping, it prevents saliva from reaching the gums. And saliva provides a natural way of cleansing the mouth. It neutralizes the acids in the mouth that lead to cavities. It also cleans the food particles from the mouth, hence preventing the formation of plaque. A night guard for bruxism tries to address these issues, and therefore, works effectively to protect your teeth.
Custom vs. Over-the-Counter Mouth Guards
Although there are different types of mouth guards, you only want to get one that is resistant to tear, is resilient, and offers a comfortable snug fit. Your mouth guard should not restrict speech and breathing.
Boil-and-Bite-Mouth Guards
A boil-and-bite mouth guard is usually pre-made, but you can alter its shape. You put it in hot water and then bite into it to ensure a customized fit. You can get boil-and-bite mouth guards from sporting goods stores. Although not the best, this kind of mouth guard offers a better fit compared to the type referred to as a stock mouth guard.
Stock Mouth Guards
A stock mouth protector is also pre-made and usually ready to wear. The downside with stock mouth guards is that they will not fit well and can be too much for the mouth, where they feel bulky. Stock mouth guards can make it difficult to breathe and talk. However, they are cheaper than the other options.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Custom-made mouth guards are your best best for proper protection and comfort. Our dental team is able to create customized night mouth guards and for sports. We will take an impression of your bite to aid with the fabrication process of the mouth protectors.
Benefits of Wearing Night Guards
A customized night guard can help protect your oral cavity from damage. Protecting the health and safety of your teeth helps prevent the need for further dental work, such as dental fillings, crowns, and root canals, which can be needed when there is significant damage to the teeth. Wearing a night guard will also alleviate headaches and jaw pain.
Taking Care of Your Mouth Protectors
Rinse your night guard after wearing it. Use warm water to rinse it because it helps prevent damage while also removing debris and preventing the accumulation of dental plaque. Also, brush your night guard with a soft toothbrush and antibacterial solution. Avoid using toothpaste as it is said to be abrasive and can cause damage to your mouth guard and create tiny dents where bacterial plaque may lodge. Weekly deep cleaning of your might guard is also encouraged. You can use denture restoration cleaner to soak the piece.
Why Choose Hunter Dental Care for Night Guards?
Talk to our team at Hunter Dental Care to learn more about mouth guards and how they work to protect your bite.
Reach out to us at to have your night guard Portland prepared. We can be reached at (503) 256-3737 in order to set up your appointment.
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