Association all recommend that children and adults participating in organized sports or recreational activities should wear comfortable, well-fitted mouth guards. We know you love your sports but you certainly love your teeth as well. Without a mouth guard serious dental injuries could occur resulting in the loss of teeth! In these varieties, the patient is given an impression kit that he has to return to the lab so a customized dental guard can be constructed. One-size-fits-all Mouth guards are typically designed to fit either upper or lower teeth. Which one to buy largely depends on preference. Both prevent grinding by creating a barrier between your teeth, so you can make a decision based on your dentist’s recommendation or comfort. It’s best practice to cover the teeth where you’ll likely get the best fit — i.e., your straightest row of teeth or where you don’t have existing dental work. If you think doubling up will somehow further treat your grinding, it won’t. Dr. Nojan says, “There’s no benefit to it, and the risk is, if you open up the jaw too much at nighttime so that the jaw gets accustomed to that position”—which might happen with two competing appliances—“then you might not be able to bring your teeth together after prolonged use. One is usually enough.” Manfredini D, Winocur E, Guarda-Nardini L, Paesani D, Lobbezoo F. Epidemiology of bruxism in adults: a systematic review of the literature. J Orofac Pain. 2013;27(2):99-110. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can happen day or night. But sleep bruxism is much harder to treat since many of us don’t even know we’re doing it. The condition is often only detected when seeking treatment for symptoms like headaches, facial or jaw pain, or worn-down teeth — or if a bed partner notices the grinding sound. And ignoring it won’t make it go away. Instead, it can lead to serious oral issues, including loss of enamel, tooth sensitivity, and a proclivity for cavities, according to Dr. Rashmi Ambewadikar of Astoria Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.

Solana K. HPI poll: Dentists see increased prevalence of stress-related oral health conditions. American Dental Association. 2021. The primary causes of bruxism are stress and anxiety. Over time, the physical reaction to emotional stressors of grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw becomes habitual. According to the ADA, people who grind their teeth ultimately weaken their tooth's structures. Tooth enamel is the protective barrier that surrounds teeth and it is especially prone to damage from teeth grinding. Extra force placed on the teeth from bruxism can also damage restorative dental work, such as fillings and crowns. There are usually “three [material texture] choices [for night guards]: soft, hard and dual-laminated,” according to Keith Kohrs, D.D.S., a Colorado-based orthodontist. Soft night guards typically utilize “soft acrylic material,” hard night guards are typically designed using “a copolyester material or acrylic,” and dual-laminated night guards are typically made with copolyester and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate),” explains Dr. Kohrs.

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Using a mouth guard can bring relief to those suffering with pain due to Buxom but remember wearing a mouthpiece at night is going to be a big change. Making sure you have a comfortable fit is important but so is important to ease into wearing your guard. Wear it a bit prior to bedtime to get used to it and don’t give up easily. However, don’t lose a lot of sleep either! You can try to use the guard a few nights a week and as you get used to wearing it eventually wear it every night without interrupting your sleeping habits. The mouth guard even out the pressure across your jaw and create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth. This protects them from grinding and damage. Long term use or an ill fitting mouth guard could result in your teeth shifting so please make sure you see a dentist and discuss with them your usage of an over the counter device long term. Pain from the night guard usually implies that the physical therapeutic effect of the night guard is not occurring,” suggests Dr. Chandwani. When assessing the usability and comfort levels of a night guard, you should first weigh the available fit variations. Fit has a direct effect on comfortability, along with the product style, shape and materials used to design the night guard. It’s important to consider these factors when narrowing your product choices. Material Boil-and-bite: Made from thermoplastic material that softens in hot water, the owner submerges the mouth guard in boiling water, then allows it to cool enough to bites down on it to create a customized impression. While these are not as advanced as individual custom models, they are far more affordable.

However, if they find that a mouthguard is uncomfortable, they may wish to consult a dentist about getting a custom product. What is a boil-and-bite mouthguard? Boil-and-bite night guards typically appeal to DIYers who prefer to spend less money and time waiting on their molds, as this variation allows users to create their molds at home rather than have a lab do it on their behalf. This dental guard type does not require you to send an impression to your dentist. Instead, the model instructs users on how to boil the dental guard, remove it using tongs, and hold it under cold water. Oral B nighttime dental guard works in a similar manner. This is perhaps the easiest and most convenient variety to use because it gives the comfort of a customized dental guard with the convenience of at-home customization. Mail-in CustomAside from damage, the act of teeth grinding can have other painful effects like headaches and jaw pain, according to the American Dental Association. Dental practitioners typically recommend night guards to limit one’s habit of bruxism (the clinical term for teeth grinding), easing the harmful consequences that come with it until the patient gets proper treatment for underlying conditions.

It is important to use a mouthguard that fits properly. A person should take the time to research and choose one that does the best job of meeting their needs and the shape of their mouth. Durable:It should be durable enough to last you for long periods. You get good value for your money with a durable mouth guard. If a person experiences pain or discomfort while using a guard, they should discontinue using it. How can I fall asleep easier with a mouthguard? You do not want to spend on a dental guard that does not last long. After all, every investment should be worth each penny. Since dental guards are designed to protect against grinding and clenching, they must be durable enough to withstand the pressure. Heavy teeth grinders need the replacement of the dental guard more often than others. Dental guard manufacturers usually keep the patient’s teeth impressions safe for later use when making replacements. This also makes subsequent dental guard manufacturers less expensive. Price

How to Choose the Best Night Guard for You

This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. To return faulty items see our Returning Faulty Items policy. You will find many nighttime dental guards in the market differing in terms of their material, comfort, fit, durability, price, and much more. When looking for a Dental Guard for yourself, consider the following features to find the right dental guard for bruxism. Fit