Depending on your unique oral health needs, your dentist might recommend wearing a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. Whether they have suggested this dental device or you want to ask if it would make sense for you to wear one, it’s in your best interest to contact our general & cosmetic dentistry/dentists located in Basking Ridge & Morristown, NJ who can help you find the right solution for your oral health problems.
What is a Night Guard?
Night guards are suitable for treating various conditions including bruxism, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), snoring, and sleep apnea. This dental device protects your teeth from grinding or clenching while you sleep. It’s similar to a retainer, as it covers your teeth. However, this device cushions your teeth from excessive wear and helps re-establish the natural space between the upper and lower teeth. This device is also referred to as an occlusal split, occlusal guard, or bite splint. They are typically custom-made to fit your exact dental anatomy and are derived from durable materials. Your dentist may suggest wearing a night guard to help alleviate the pain you may experience from TMJ and to prevent damage to your teeth, jaw, crowns, and other dental restorations.
The length of time that you’ll need to wear a night guard depends on your circumstances. Depending on the severity of your teeth grinding or clenching, your dentist may recommend that you wear your night guard for a short period of years if you have severe or frequent symptoms. For instance, if your teeth grinding is caused by stress, you may only need to wear a night guard until you can manage your stress better. It’s important to follow your dentist’s recommendations and attend regular check-ups to track your progress, ensuring your overall dental health.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks?
While there are numerous benefits to wearing a nightguard, it’s important to ensure you understand that they take some time to adjust to. That means you will have to be patient. If it doesn’t fit quite right, it can cause soreness in your teeth, gums, or jaw. Generally, custom-made mouthguards are more comfortable. Regardless of what type of night guard you have, your dentist should examine it and make any necessary modifications.
In addition, as with most other medical devices, night guards don’t last forever. They can generally last two to five years with proper care. This means that you will have to replace your nightguard at some point. The night guard can wear down over time and become less effective.
As you can see, wearing a night guard can help treat certain conditions, protecting your teeth from grinding or other damage while you sleep. If you have questions about wearing a night guard, please don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment. At Dental Associates of Basking Ridge, we are prepared to help you improve your overall health.
