What is a dental night guard? Do I need one? How does it work? Is over the counter the same as one from a dentist? Dr. Kuiper will answer these questions and more on today’s Tuesday Tooth Talk.
You may have heard of these in the news or advertisements on TV. There are actually two types of night guards. The first type is for people who grind or clench their teeth at night. People who grind or clench can experience jaw soreness, chipped teeth, and/or headaches. It provides a protective plastic coating between the upper and lower teeth so that when bruxism, also known as grinding, happens, it happens on the plastic as opposed to the teeth. Some people can actually grind halfway through the tooth without ever realizing what’s going on!
The other form of night guard is for people who suffer from temporomandibular jaw disorder (TMJ). When people talk about a sore jaw, this is the joint to which they are referring. There are night guards that can be worn to take away the pressure and almost act like a splint or brace for the jaw. This provides relief for the jaw joint so that when you wake up in the morning, it won’t be as sore. It’s just like what is taught for injury relief and healing, R.I.C.E, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. That is what’s happening for the jaw when you wear a night guard.
The night guards that we can make for you are much more effective, comfortable, and durable than what you can find online or in any stores. This is why we highly recommend having a dental professional make one for you. It will be custom made, custom fitted, and can actually provide the benefits that you want. The last thing we want is for you to go to the store and purchase something that won’t provide you with the service you’re looking for.
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, click here to visit our Dental Night Guards page! If you have any questions or think a night guard might be beneficial for your life, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Find us on YouTube!