If you clench or grind your teeth at night, your dentist might recommend a night guard or bite guard for sleeping. How does a night guard for teeth grinding work?
What is a Dental Night Guard (aka Bite Guard)?
A bite guard is a dental oral device that forms a barrier between your upper and lower jaw. It helps prevent unconscious grinding of teeth at night, which may lead to headaches and jaw pain. It is ideal to help you avoid grinding and clenching your teeth when sleeping. If not controlled on time, continuous teeth grinding can damage your jaw. Dentists also suggest night guards in Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) for Sleep Apnea.
You can get a bite guard for sleeping even without a prescription. The pharmacist will give you a soft piece of plastic to soak in warm water for a few minutes and bite onto it. The night guard will take the shape of your jaw when you place it on your jaw. Alternatively, the dentist can design a custom nightguard for your mouth. At Sekhon Dental – Dentist in Agoura Hills, we recommend a custom nightguard, designed specifically for you. At Sekhon Dental in Agoura Hills, not only we design but also make a custom nightguard for you using our 3D printer (we believe in staying ahead of the curve.) Call us to schedule a custom night guard treatment.
Benefits of Night/Bite Guard for Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth can result in enamel loss, increasing the risk for cavities and eventually requiring root canal therapies. So, a dental night/bite guard can help:
- Avoid teeth grinding and loss of enamel
- Loss of teeth
- Prevent headaches resulting from teeth clenching
- Fix jaw alignment
- Improve comfort while preventing clenching
It’s very important to prevent further damage to your teeth and jaw. At Sekhon Dental in Agoura Hills, we have delivered over 1,000 custom night/bite guards, and the feedback has been very positive from our patients. They got used to them that they don’t go to bed without one.
Teeth Grinding in Children
Teeth grinding is quite common in children, especially those under five. Usually, children outgrow this phase without treatment, but your dentist might recommend one, depending on the condition.
Night/Bite Guard Care and Maintenance
Once you get a night guard, it’s important to wear it every night before going to bed. It may take a couple of nights to get used it, but make sure you don’t give up. You can keep your mouth guard clean the same way as your teeth by brushing it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Always wash the bite guard before you put it in your mouth and after you take it out. Also, keep it away from heat and warm water to avoid damage.
If you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, consult your dentist for a suitable night guard for teeth grinding. If you have more questions or are ready for a nightguard, please call us at (818) 991-5004 or book your appointment with Sekhon Dental in Agoura Hills to get a custom nightguard.