You’ve seen the mail-order dental night guard ads popping up everywhere, from Instagram to TV commercials. These oral appliances have been around for decades, so what’s making them such a big deal now?
One answer is the newest technology, giving consumers access to high-quality, custom-made night guards at affordable prices without the need for expensive dentist visits. But the second, more pressing reason is the spike in teeth grinding since the pandemic.
Teeth grinding and clenching, officially called bruxism, often stems from stress — a factor that has been on the rise globally since the shutdown. With so many people grinding their teeth, an easy solution is in high demand, and a night guard could be the answer.
However, there are different types of oral appliances. The right one could solve all your bruxing issues, but the wrong one could make them worse. This guide to night guards can help you decide if you, too, are one of the many bruxers who could benefit from using these amazing marvels of technology.
How Night Guards Help “Guard” Against Bruxing
Any mouth guard is designed to protect the sensitive area around your teeth, tongue, and lips from damage. There are various types of dental devices, including sports guards for contact sports protection, splints for specialized correction of medical conditions, and night guards.
Although they all fall under the category of mouthguards, the appliances aren’t interchangeable.
Night guards are, as the name implies, used at night or while you’re sleeping if you have a flipped schedule. These devices are made from a specific plastic-type material that slides over your teeth to act as a barrier between the top and bottom arches.
Protection Against Bruxing
With this protective barrier in place, your jaw and teeth can’t gain the traction necessary to clench and grind. These are the actions that cause all the side effects that go along with bruxism, like:
· Wear and tear of the teeth, including cracking, chipping, and flattening
· Sensitive enamel and gums
· Pain in the jaws, neck, shoulder, and back
· Headaches, especially in the morning
It’s not always easy to tell if you have bruxism since the behaviors happen while you’re asleep. Your partner may notice if the grinding is severe enough, or your dentist could see the telltale signs of teeth flattening and enamel damage at your next check-up.
One self-test you can do to determine if your issues could be bruxing-related is to check for things like headaches, sore neck muscles, and tightness in the jaw. Firmly rub the area right under your ears. If it’s a little painful, your temporomandibular (TMJ) joint is likely overworked. These are all signs that you’re grinding your teeth in your sleep.
Bruxing Solutions
Do those symptoms sound familiar? If so, you know you need a night guard, but what kind?
When you’re ready to shop for a night guard, your first thought might be to head to your local department store. Yes, you’ll find some products there in one-size-fits-most or boil-and-bite versions.
These are the cheapest kinds, but they are made from pliable plastics and don’t last long. You’ll likely bite right through them quickly. Worse, if the fit isn’t right, they won’t be comfortable and can cause your teeth to shift.
Finding the right dental guard requires analyzing three factors: price, quality, and comfort. All three must be taken into consideration for the ultimate effectiveness. Too cheap, like the boil-and-bite over-the-counter guards, and you lose comfort and quality. Too pricey, like those at the dentist’s office, and you may not be able to afford the protection.
Luckily, there’s an in-between option: the mail-order professional night guard kits from companies like JS Dental Lab that started this conversation.
Narrowing Down Custom Night Guards
Even amongst professional guards, there are still more options to consider. If you’re getting your night guard from your dentist, they’ll walk you through your choices, and you won’t have to do anything but follow directions (and pay, of course).
But if you want to skip the expensive fittings, lab expenses, and other dental costs, head online to a professional night guard creator.
These companies may look similar, but they’ll have different prices, guarantees, and materials that they use to make their guards. Another important piece to consider is their customer service. If you have questions throughout the process, you’ll want answers quickly.
In general, there are three main types of night guards to choose from: hard, soft, and hybrid. These are usually made from thermoplastic materials like TPU, PETG, and EVA.
Soft guards are good for mild bruxing and ultimate comfort. Hard guards defend against severe bruxing damage but aren’t quite as comfortable (although most people get used to wearing them just fine). Hybrid guards are a mix of the two, designed for comfort and durability.
Each design is custom-made from a mold you send in using the impression kit provided to you as part of your package. Once you finish making your impression, you send it back to the lab. They create your custom-designed night guard and mail it back to you, all within about two weeks.
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Conclusion
Dental Night guards are often the first step many people take to eliminate their bruxing issues. Choosing from an OTC version, a dental lab’s guards, or an online option each has its own pros and cons, and armed with the info in this guide, you can make the decision that’s best for your needs.