How to Select a Dental Night Guard in Brampton for Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth is a medical condition that mostly happens during sleep but can happen when you are awake. The simplest way to address this destructive habit (which is also called bruxism) and protect your teeth is to get a dental night guard made.
A dental night guard made by our Brampton clinic is a protective layer that separates your upper and lower teeth. It stops both layers of teeth from hitting or coming into contact with one another. It also prevents your gums from receding and your teeth from wear and cracking.
So, which type of night guard should you choose? This will depend on your teeth, budget, and the severity of the problem.
In this post, we discuss how to choose between different types of night guards.
Let’s get started.
Tips for Choosing a Dental Night Guard in Brampton
Dental night guards are coverings worn over teeth. They are mostly used to protect them against injuries caused by bruxism. Here are the best ways to choose a suitable night guard.
Buy Stock Night Guards If You Have a Minor Issue
Do you only grind your teeth occasionally? Then a stock night guard may be the perfect option.
When you begin to feel stressed and notice your jaw or neck muscles becoming sore when you wake up, buy this night guard from a drug store. They are adequate for intermittent teeth clenching but not if the problem persists. This is because they do guard your teeth but don’t support your jaw; this can cause you to wake up with excessive soreness in your jaw or neck.
Advantages of Stock Night Guards
- They are not costly.
- They are simple to use.
- They come in multi-packs.
Disadvantages of Stock Night Guards
- They can’t be custom fitted.
- They are not suitable for long term use or intense teeth grinding.
- They are not robust and don’t support jaws.
Choose Long-Lasting Boil & Bite Night Guards
This night guard is more expensive but lasts longer and fits better. It is made from high-quality thermoplastic and may be softened in a microwave or by using hot water. Once it becomes soft, you bite down and it conforms to the shape of your teeth. You may then cut away any extra material to get the appropriate shape. It provides better protection than a stock night guard and lasts longer. Like a stock night guard, it also does not support the jaw. Therefore, you may experience soreness there when you wake up.
Advantages of Boil & Bite Night Guards
- They may be custom-fitted and are affordable.
- They are quite sturdy.
Disadvantages of Boil & Bile Night Guards
- They do not support your jaw.
- They call for thorough preparation before use.
Opt for Custom Night Guards If You Have Severe Bruxism
Have you suffered from intense teeth grinding for a long time? Did other night guards fail to give you relief? Then a custom-fitted night guard is your best choice.
These are specially designed and made in a dental clinic or laboratory based on the instructions of your dentist. For instance, your family dentist in Brampton will take a mould of your teeth and a night guard is moulded from it using a clear acrylic plastic material.
Because of the quality of the material and additional work and time involved, custom night guards are costlier than the other kinds but may be covered by private insurance. They are also the most comfortable, provide the most protection, and can last for years with appropriate care.
Advantages of Customized Night Guards
- They are extremely sturdy.
- They fit perfectly and are highly durable.
- They provide maximum support to the jaw.
Disadvantages of Customized Night Guards
- They are expensive.
- They must be fitted by a dentist.
How to Clean Your Dental Night Guard
No matter what dental night guard you select to prevent teeth grinding, you must clean it regularly. Just as bacteria builds up if you do not brush your teeth properly, it will accumulate in your night guard if you do not clean it. This will cause tooth decay and other dental issues.
Here are a few tips for cleaning your night guard, offered by our dental clinic in Brampton:
- Clean it regularly with clean water and dish soap. Weekly cleaning with a denture cleaner is recommended.
- Brush and floss your teeth at night before putting in your guard.
- Brush properly again in the morning when you take it out.
These vital tips will help you choose the right night guard. If you still have questions, contact Dentistry on Dusk. Our expert dentists can recommend effective long-term solutions for teeth grinding and create custom night guards, if required.
This entry was posted in Dentistry on Dusk on March 12, 2022.