Do Night Guards Work?
Night guards are used in a few different scenarios. Most often, a night guard protects the teeth against the damage brought on by chronically clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth. In other cases, night guards may be used to repair temporomandibular joint disorders and other conditions related to the jaw. While there are a couple of notable caveats, in most cases, night guards are a highly effective way to protect the teeth and jaws, preventing damage and reducing or eliminating painful symptoms.
How Do Night Guards Work?
Typically made of acrylic, acetate, or silicone, a night guard forms a barrier between the upper and lower rows of teeth, preventing the teeth from making contact. Night guards absorb some of the forces of grinding or clenching and also aid in distributing this force more evenly, which helps prevent damage to the teeth and also helps reduce the symptoms of TMJ disorders by alleviating muscle strain in the jaw. While many night guards can be effective, those that don’t fit properly or are made of cheap materials can actually harm the oral tissues, disrupting the bite alignment or irritating the gum tissue. In order to understand how night guards can cause harm, it’s helpful to understand the different types of night guards that are available. The three most common types of night guards include those that can be worn immediately, right out of the box; boil-and-bite guards that are shaped around the teeth after softening in hot water; and custom-fitted night guards that are modeled after the patient’s own teeth. Because of their tailored fit and superior materials, custom-fitted night guards are universally recommended, as they are more effective and more comfortable than their one-size-fits-all counterparts. When worn and maintained properly, these custom night guards help minimize wear on the teeth, stabilizing alignment while reducing the likelihood of dental fractures and tooth sensitivity. They also help alleviate the radiating jaw pain of TMJ disorders by reducing strain on the jaw joint and maintaining the proper jaw position. While custom night guards tend to cost more than over-the-counter options, they are built to be comfortable, effective, and durable, and most patients consider them an excellent investment.
Are There Other Benefits of Night Guards?
A properly fitted night guard won’t stop the condition of teeth grinding, or bruxism, but it will protect against bruxism’s effects. To treat bruxism directly, the cause of the condition must first be determined; then, therapeutic options like treatment for sleep apnea or stress management techniques can gradually reduce the occurrence of bruxism. While the underlying cause is investigated, a custom-fitted night guard will keep tooth pain and jaw pain at bay. Night guards can also help improve the quality of sleep, for both the wearer and their sleep partners, and help reduce tension for the wearer. This reduced tension means you’re less likely to wake up with a headache – a common symptom of bruxism – and less likely to feel the radiating neck or shoulder pain that might accompany TMJ disorder. Night guards also help wearers breathe better, reducing or even eliminating snoring. These multiple benefits make night guards a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Ask your dentist about your best approaches to comprehensive treatment, and rest easy knowing your night guard is protecting you.