Do Night Guards Work?
If you’ve been thinking about getting a night guard in the hopes of reducing or eliminating the uncomfortable effects of bruxism, you might have heard some mixed reviews, and you might be curious about whether a night guard will work for you. The truth is that there are quite a few kinds of night guards, and some are more effective than others. In general, however, if you get a night guard that is custom-fitted for your teeth and crafted from durable clinical material in a dental lab, you can expect it to work, providing relief from the discomfort of TMJ disorder while protecting the teeth from the damage chronic clenching and grinding can cause. This can’t always be said of over-the-counter night guards, which vary substantially in terms of fit, comfort, durability, and efficacy.
A well made, properly fitted night guard should comfortably support your upper and lower rows of teeth, preventing them from the friction, pressures, and damage that often come with clenching and grinding the teeth. Some of the benefits of a night guard include:
- Reduced or eliminated pain in the teeth and jaw
- Less frequent headaches
- Improved sleep and less snoring
- Protection from damage and wear
While the night guard won’t prevent your habitual inclination to grind your teeth and clench your jaw, which mostly happens unconsciously, while you sleep, it will protect your teeth. It should also provide enough of a sturdy cushion to relieve a significant amount of the pressure that’s placed on your jaw when your teeth grind or clench. This is the primary reason that people choose to use night guards: to relieve the symptoms of bruxism and the temporomandibular joint disorders that often accompany the condition. Your dentist will evaluate your specific circumstances, assessing your teeth and jaw to determine how much protection you might need and what your individual clinical needs are, and they will choose the best possible material, making sure the density and cushioning of the material match your particular needs. They will also make a precise impression of your upper and lower jaws, and this impression will be used to craft your custom night guard, guaranteeing a precise, comfortable fit.
While it’s possible to find an over-the-counter night guard that will work for your particular needs, it can take a lot of trial and error. Using an ill-fitting night guard can disrupt the alignment of the teeth over time, sometimes adding to the damage that bruxism can cause. The wrong night guard could also interfere with your ability to speak properly and might interfere with comfortably sleeping or even breathing. Additionally, there’s no guarantee that an over-the-counter guard will be made of durable material, so, even if it seems like the less expensive choice, a non-custom guard – that might not even fit or work well – could need frequent replacement. On the other hand, a custom night guard that’s fitted by a dentist and crafted in a dental lab, from clinically proven materials, should be thought of as a worthy investment toward your oral health, your overall health, and your general well-being. Instead of wondering whether night guards work, contact your dentist and see for yourself. Chances are good that you’ll be happy you did.
Related Article: What is a Night Guard Supposed to Do?