Custom Dental Night Guard Guide

CUSTOM DENTAL NIGHT GUARDS

In this guide, we have compiled everything you need to know about custom dental night guards used to treat teeth grinding and clenching. Bruxism, it’s causes and treatment options, the benefits of using a Teeth Grinding Night Guard, how to choose the right one for you, and the proper use and maintenance are all included!

Your dentist has probably recommended a custom Night Guard for Teeth Grinding if you have a tendency to grind or clench your teeth, but the cost of getting one from the dentist’s office can be much higher than you expect, between $400 and $800! Make sure to do your research before you go for this expensive option so you have all the information about other solutions available

Here, we make custom teeth grinding guards in our dental lab, with the same professional materials and processes we use to create dental night guards for dentists. The cost is reduced significantly, by allowing you to purchase online directly from us. We're committed to your complete comfort and satisfaction!

UNDERSTANDING BRUXISM

Bruxism is a chronic dental condition characterized by grinding or clenching of the teeth. It usually occurs when you sleep, but can also occur during the day. There are many serious conditions that can emerge due to bruxism: broken teeth, enamel loss, gum recession, neck and joint pain, and many others.

In order to prevent complications like these, bruxism must be correctly identified and treated as soon as possible. Thankfully, most people that suffer from this condition are able to find relief and get treatment to manage it with a custom night guard.

Bruxism’s cause isn’t fully understood yet, but some theories are that it may be because of a combination of different factors, physical, psychological, and genetic. Higher degrees of stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions can contribute to developing the condition.

There are also some lifestyle habits and certain conditions that can be associated with both nighttime and daytime bruxism such as smoking cigarettes, excessive drinking, stress, epilepsy, and sleep apnea.

People of all ages can be affected by teeth grinding, bruxism can be caused by stress and resolve over time with children and therefore it’s not recommended to use a custom night guard on a child, especially since their jaws are still developing. Adults with regularly occurring bruxism, however, should consider a Teeth Night Guard for Grinding Teeth at Night as the best option.

SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM

Before you start looking for a teeth night guard, you should first visit your dentist so they can help you figure out whether any of the symptoms you’re experiencing are caused by bruxism, and whether or not you need one to prevent further damage and pain.

Symptoms to watch for include:

Tooth damage such as chipping, loosening, cracking, etc.

Pain in the facial muscles, neck, teeth, or related to the ear.

Sensitive teeth

Extreme soreness of the jaw, leading to trouble opening/closing your mouth

Headaches, muscle tensions, and occasional lower-jaw swelling

BRUXISM-RELATED DAMAGE

Severe tooth grinding and clenching can lead to:

Tooth structure and dental work (fillings, crowns, etc.) damage.

Damage to the enamel and/or soft tissues in your mouth

The recession of the gums

Extreme periodontal ligament widening

TEETH GRINDING VS TEETH CLENCHING

The act of rubbing your teeth against each repeatedly is called teeth grinding. Teeth clenching is separate, it’s the act of biting or tightening the jaw, usually to the extreme, meaning a large amount of force is exerted between the upper and lower jaws.

Soreness and tension in the jaw muscles and earaches, headaches, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can all be caused by teeth clenching.

DAYTIME GRINDING VS NIGHT TIME GRINDING

Both teeth clenching and grinding usually happen involuntarily, most people with bruxism experience the symptoms listed when they sleep, only a relatively small amount suffer the symptoms during waking hours. Nighttime grinding is much more common, and also causes much more harm, according to some researchers, daytime teeth grinders make up almost as much as 10 percent of people. Diurnal bruxism is the proper name for daytime grinding, and it’s almost always related to or caused by large amounts of stress.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BRUXISM

There is a large variety of options for treating bruxism, from dental night guards, to lifestyle and home remedies, to corrective dental procedures, to medications and injections, but the night guard is most certainly the best and safest one.

PREVENTS TOOTH DAMAGE

Until a dentist examines them, most people will remain unaware of how extensive their tooth damage is. Teeth clenching and grinding that goes unchecked for a long period of time will result in the protective enamel of the tooth wearing down eventually. This can lead to cavities, extreme sensitivity, fracturing, and damage to existing teeth restorations, and other oral health problems.

PREVENTS TMJ DYSFUNCTION

TMJ disorders affect the muscles used for chewing as well as the joint itself. It's associated with tendons and ligaments and one of the factors that lead or contribute to TMJ is Bruxism.

Teeth Grinding Mouth Guard and clenching can cause pressure on the jaw and surrounding muscles and lead to chronic recurring headaches. Waking up with headaches frequently, especially those located in the temple area, can mean that the cause is bruxism.

A consistently used teeth night guard can help alleviate temporal headaches and associated neck pain related to bruxism.

IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF SLEEP

It’s much easier to sleep once you’re pain-free and relaxed, a teeth night guard reduces stress in your jaw and facial muscles by providing a protective barrier between the teeth on your upper and lower jaws, helping to improve your sleep patterns. Your quality and quantity of sleep will be greatly increased with a custom night guard, it will help to reduce pain not only in your mouth but also in your head and neck, the use of this night guard will provide the relief needed to regain a healthy sleeping pattern.

TYPES OF TEETH GRINDING MOUTH GUARDS

There are 3 main types of mouth-guards available:

Stock over-the-counter teeth guards: They may be inexpensive, but they aren’t customizable, offer the least amount of protection from bruxism, and can be uncomfortable. 

Boil and bite guards: These are inexpensive as well and conform to your jaw shape a little, but the fit is still not very effective, and they aren’t durable and therefore need to be replaced frequently

Custom teeth mouth guards: Definitely the best option, these guards are made from an impression of your teeth and jaw to get a precise fit, and are made from very durable material in a dental lab, making them the best protection option for treating bruxism.

Since they offer the best comfort and protection, the night guards offered at the dentist’s office are always professionally made.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEETH GRINDING MOUTH GUARD

A proper, customized fit is essential in order for your night guard to be effective in helping with your pain and discomfort, so here are a few pointers to help you in choosing the right teeth night guard.

CUSTOM DENTAL NIGHT GUARD FIT

Your custom teeth mouth guard should fit firmly around your teeth, while not causing any pressure in order to guarantee protection and comfort, it should also stay on without any support from the opposite jaw. This correct fit will ensure that your mouth guard stays in while you’re asleep, it should only come off when you remove it manually.

CUSTOM DENTAL NIGHT GUARD COMFORT

A correctly fitting nightguard should maintain a snug attachment as you sleep, one that is overly bulky can come loose, causing more discomfort and breathing difficulties. People using guards for daytime bruxism should have one that allows them to talk and breathe comfortably and without obstruction.

CUSTOM DENTAL NIGHT GUARD DURABILITY

Absorbing the force from teeth clenching and grinding will eventually take a toll on your dental guard, so choosing a high-quality, durable material that will last longer than any cheap over-the-counter ones will lower your overall costs and you’ll require fewer replacements, which is better in the long run.

The different materials that dental guards are made of determine the durability and comfort of the guard, they’re often made from acrylic resin, a dual laminate (acrylic and vinyl composite) material, or soft vinyl. The acrylic material is the most durable, and therefore recommended for people with more severe bruxism, and the softer materials are for people with lighter clenching and grinding. Your decision on which material is best for your night guard should be determined by how severe your bruxism is.

CUSTOM DENTAL NIGHT GUARD PRICE

Most dentists will charge you hundreds of dollars for a single custom night guard, obviously, many people find that this price is extremely high for a single guard, and this indecision is what delays them from getting the treatment they need. Teeth Night Guard offers a much lower night guard price, and we make our custom teeth guard using the same professional materials and manufacturing processes.

CUSTOM DENTAL NIGHT GUARD PRICES

The over-the-counter mouth guards that only require you to boil it and bite down are very cheap, only about twenty dollars at a drug store or online, but keep in mind that these are bulky and uncomfortable, and they only offer a limited amount of protection.

Custom night guards are commonly recommended by dentists to treat teeth grinding, and the cost of this custom night guard can be extraordinarily expensive, but Teeth Night Guard offers an affordable and easy high-quality teeth guard, the same kind made in dental labs, with no appointments or high costs.

Custom Teeth Grinding Mouth Guard Comparison Chart:

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A NIGHT GUARD

It’s recommended that you do as much research as you need to make an informed decision before making an important purchase like a dental night guard, this section answers some of the most frequently asked questions asked by customers before buying a teeth night guard.

ARE MULTIPLE GUARDS INCLUDED WITH MY PURCHASE?

Teeth Night Guard provides a single long-lasting night guard, you usually only need either an upper or lower guard, but the night guard sits between your upper and lower jaw, so it functions as an effective barrier for protection.

IS THE MOUTH GUARD CUSTOM MOLDED, OR IS IT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL?

Like your fingerprints your dental structure is unique to you, so we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution, we mold each mouth guard specifically for you instead, using your unique teeth impressions we get from the at-home teeth impression kit.

HOW LONG WILL THE DENTAL NIGHT GUARD LAST?

Teeth night guards can last for years, instead of the ultra-thin daytime mouth guards that only last between six and twelve months. In the event that the night guard breaks or cracks due to wear and tear or a simple accident, just come back and order another, we might recommend a stronger, more durable material if it happens frequently.

WILL THE DENTAL MOUTH GUARD BE COMFORTABLE TO WEAR?

A custom teeth grinding mouth guard made for an adult should have a comfortable, snug fit. Whereas over-the-counter dental mouth guards tend to be bulky and fit poorly in your mouth, leading to impaired breathing and sleep deprivation due to pain or discomfort. If the night guard does give you any of these problems you may need to check how you’re inserting it or get a readjustment.

HOW EASY IS THE TEETH GRINDING MOUTH GUARD TO CLEAN?

To clean your dental mouth guard properly, you should scrub it with a toothbrush and toothpaste after each use, then store it in cold tap water and make sure to change the water every day to avoid attracting bacteria.

Cleaning your teeth guard with substances containing alcohol will reduce the lifespan of the guard, it is not recommended. For a deeper clean, once a week at most, clean your night guard with a denture-cleaning tablet, which is available over the counter at most pharmacies or drugstores.

CUSTOM DENTAL NIGHT GUARD TYPES

You should know the severity of your teeth clenching and grinding before you choose your night guard in order to make an informed decision, here are the different types of custom teeth grinding mouth guards available for purchase.

HARD TEETH NIGHT GUARDS

Hard night guards are designed for people who have severe teeth grinding, they’re made from firm  and durable plastic. The material will soften in warm water, which allows for a comfortable fit, a hard night guard can last for up to five years, depending on the severity of the teeth grinding of course.

HYBRID TEETH NIGHT GUARDS

Hybrid night guards are best suited for people with moderate to heavy teeth grinding, it’s made from a dual-laminate material and has a hard exterior and a soft interior.

These night guards can usually last for one to three years, once again, depending on the extent of the teeth clenching and grinding.

SOFT TEETH NIGHT GUARDS

Soft night guards are best for people with minimal to moderate teeth clenching and grinding, the material it’s made from flexible vinyl, and these guards can last anywhere between six months and two years.

ULTRA-THIN TEETH NIGHT GUARD

The ultra-thin guard is designed as a daytime mouth guard for people who experience daytime bruxism, it’s from a very thin layer of hard acrylic. Unlike it’s bulkier cousin the night guard, daytime guards allow you to speak and breathe normally throughout your day, so have the guard on won’t affect your activities or your schedule. They usually can last anywhere from six to two years, depending on how severe the daytime bruxism is.

USING YOUR NIGHT GUARD

Many people experience discomfort when first using a dental guard, taking days or weeks to get used to wearing, some can even take a month until they find they can wear their guard comfortably through the night.

If the guard still feels awkward in your mouth after the adjustment period has passed (more than a month or two), you might need to talk to your dentist.

NIGHT GUARDS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN

Clenching and grinding your teeth is usually a habit that children tend to outgrow over time, so the standard treatment for bruxism in children is just to watch and wait to let it pass. Especially since a fixed-size mouth guard wouldn’t be healthy for the ever-growing and ever-changing teeth and jaw of a child. The option does exist, but night guards for children would usually need to be adjusted twice a month or more, resulting in a high expense dental treatment that isn’t necessary.

TEETH MOUTH GUARDS AND SLEEP APNEA

You may or may not need a dental guard to treat your sleep apnea, here are different types of teeth guards that will adjust the position of your tongue and lower jaw to allow more airflow and reduce snoring. The severity of your sleep apnea will determine the best type of dental guard to use, however, night guards aren’t made specifically for sleep apnea, and you may need to consult with your dentist to find the best solution.

TEETH NIGHT GUARD CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Brush your dental night guard gently with your toothbrush and toothpaste after use to properly clean the guard.

When not in use, it should be stored in cool water, and replace the water daily to prevent infection.

For travel, make sure the night guard us completely dry before putting it back in its case, replacing it while damp could lead to the growth of bacteria or mold and create oral health problems.

Putting a clean night guard in a dirty case defeats the purpose of cleaning it, so wash and dry the case thoroughly a few times a week.

CONCLUSION

Bruxism can have far-reaching effects on your overall health, and the best treatment option for the effects of teeth clenching and grinding associated with bruxism is to use a custom night guard.

At Teeth Night Guard, we provide the highest quality custom-fitted night guards direct to you at a fraction of the night guard cost charged by most dentists. We use a proven process and professional materials to create a perfect, custom-fitted night guard for you. Order your custom night guard with Teeth Night Guard today!