Do I need a NightGuard from my Winter Park Dentist?
Do I need a nightguard from my Winter Park dentist?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of bruxism, such as jaw pain, soreness when waking or during stress, or headaches related to clenching. You might be asking the common question if you need a dental nightguard. In parallel, your Winter Park dentist or hygienist may have noticed abnormal wear or signs of cracking or chipping from added wear due to subconscious clenching or grinding.
How does a nightguard work?
A nightguard (also commonly known as a biteguard) is essentially a protective layer between your teeth. This protective layer is “sacrificial” in that it is meant to take the wear and tear of your clenching or grinding to prevent damage or injury to your teeth or muscles. Nowadays, nightguards are all made of synthetic polymer / plastic materials – as they provide a variety of ways to tailor the level of protection and comfort for the patient.
Some nightguards are made to be harder and stiffer to protect the top and bottom arches of teeth from chipping or breaking due to grinding. In contrast, some nightguards are made of soft material to prioritize protection for the jaw clenching so the pressure can be more evenly distributed across the muscles and joints.
Nightguards can take some getting used to, but overall, they are a practical "first option" choice for patients because they are non-invasive and reliable in preventing damage to the teeth and pain associated with bruxism.
How do I know if I need a nightguard?
The most apparent sign is typically grinding sounds at night, sometimes observed as a 'squeaking' noise as the teeth rub together. Additionally, if you wake up with jaw soreness or pain, it can be a sign of clenching throughout your sleep. Sometimes, this pain can radiate and become a headache or cause inflammation in the jaw joints. These are some of the signs when you need to wear a nightguard.
Can I use an “over-the-counter” night guard?
You certainly can, and they do work for some patients. However, we most commonly hear that these options are bulky and uncomfortable due to their size and are not durable enough to provide adequate protection or longevity. It may still be an excellent first step to help alleviate some symptoms. However, the comfort and durability of a custom nightguard from your local dentist can be a big difference between being comfortable enough to wear and sleep in versus an over-the-counter product not used because it is uncomfortable.
How can my local dentist tell me if I need a night guard?
During dental checkups, your local dentist may notice pre-mature wearing and 'flattening' teeth, which are common signs that grinding has affected a person's tooth structure. As we age, all teeth become gradually less 'pointy' and show wear. However, accelerated wear can manifest in thinner enamel or chipped teeth. Particularly for individuals that naturally have their front teeth touching, this can cause chips in the bottom or top of the front teeth. Additionally, dentists may notice minor fractures or chips that indicate continued wear. Sometimes, even sensitivity or recurring pain in an area can manifest as a diagnosis of aggressive clenching or grinding, even when your dental hygiene routine is excellent.
How is a custom nightguard made for me?
Your dentist will provide a consultation that accounts for your specific bruxism issues, lifestyle, and type of nightguard wear (top vs bottom). At our office, all of our nightguards start with a 3D intraoral scan of your mouth to accurately capture the upper and lower arch of teeth and how they work together to form your “bite.”
Using this 3D scan, depending on the recommended type of nightguard, we will either send the scan directly to a professional lab to design and fabricate a custom nightguard for you – or we will use our 3D printer to create a physical model of your teeth for the dentist to analyze and design around – followed by utilizing our vacuum forming machine to create a suitable custom nightguard from the dentist’s design. After trimming excess material (for your comfort) and testing your “bite,” the dentist will ask you to try on the nightguard and evaluate the protection and comfort level with you.
At first, a new nightguard may feel tight and will take some adjustment. We kindly ask patients to stick with it for 3-4 nights and adjust. We schedule courtesy calls to check on our patients after a few nights of wear if we need to make further adjustments for a comfortable and practical fit. If a nightguard isn’t comfortable, we know patients won’t wear it – and it won’t be effective for them.
If you are curious about your symptoms and are perhaps more chronic, or you have had dental work or other conditions that necessitate extra care of your teeth – it is safest to consult your local dentist for a nightguard. If you're in the Winter Park area and are interested in learning more – please book an appointment with us for a consultation. In addition to our doctors and staff's expertise, we can provide a 3D scan of your mouth to visually show how your teeth may be impacted by bruxism and recommend a custom night guard option that works for you and your lifestyle.
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