Do you wake up with a sore jaw, tender facial muscles, headaches, or sensitive teeth? You may be clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep—a common condition known as bruxism.
Over time, repeated clenching and grinding can put significant stress on your teeth, muscles, and jaw joints. A custom night guard from your dentist can help protect your smile and reduce the effects of nighttime grinding.
What Is a Night Guard?
A night guard is a custom-made dental appliance designed to be worn while you sleep. It creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, helping to reduce the wear and damage caused by clenching and grinding.
A night guard may also:
- Help protect teeth from excessive wear and damage
- Reduce the amount of pressure placed on the jaw joints
- Help relieve muscle tenderness associated with clenching and grinding
- Help protect dental work, such as crowns and other restorations, from excessive grinding forces
Your dentist will determine whether a night guard is appropriate for you and will recommend the type of appliance best suited to your needs.
Getting Used to Your Night Guard
It is normal for a new night guard to feel a little unusual at first. Because it is custom-fitted, it may feel tight when you first receive it, and you may notice some temporary tooth sensitivity when you wake up.
You may also find that:
- It takes some time to fall asleep comfortably while wearing it
- You wake up and discover that you have removed it during the night
- It initially feels difficult to remove
These things generally improve as you become accustomed to wearing your night guard.
Consistency is important. For the best results, wear your night guard every night. If you go several nights without wearing it, you may notice that it feels tight again when you start wearing it.
Your dentist will show you how to properly insert and remove your night guard before you take it home.
How to Clean Your Night Guard
Proper cleaning helps keep your night guard fresh and in good condition.
We recommend:
- Clean your night guard when you remove it in the morning and before putting it in at night.
- Use a soft toothbrush with cold soapy water or a non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Avoid using hot or warm water if your night guard is made from a material that does not require warming for insertion. Heat can cause some appliances to distort.
- Rinse it thoroughly before wearing it.
- Allow it to dry before storing it in its container.
What If You Notice White Buildup?
If you notice a white buildup beginning to form on your night guard, you can soak it during the day in a 1:3 mixture of white vinegar and water, then brush it thoroughly in the evening.
How Should You Store Your Night Guard?
When you’re not wearing your night guard, keep it in the protective container provided by your dental office.
Keep the container and night guard:
- Away from direct sunlight
- Away from heaters and other sources of heat
- Out of reach of pets, who may mistake it for a chew toy!
Always make sure your night guard is clean and dry before storing it.
When Should You Contact Your Dentist?
Your night guard should fit comfortably and securely. If you notice that it no longer fits properly, becomes damaged, develops sharp edges, or causes ongoing discomfort, contact your dental office before continuing to wear it.
It is also important to have your night guard checked periodically. Your dentist can assess both the condition of the appliance and your teeth to make sure your night guard continues to provide the protection you need.
Protect Your Smile While You Sleep
Clenching and grinding can happen without you even realizing it. A properly fitted night guard can be an important part of protecting your teeth and maintaining your oral health.
If you think you may be grinding or clenching your teeth, talk to your dentist. Signs can include worn or chipped teeth, morning jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, headaches, or tenderness in the facial muscles.
Your smile deserves protection—even while you’re sleeping.
If you have questions about night guards or would like to find out whether one may be right for you, contact Horizon Dental Clinic to speak with our dental team.