How can my local dentist in Winter Park tell that I need a nightguard?

Nightguards, also commonly known as "bite guards" or clinically known as an "occlusal guard," can help alleviate symptoms of chronic clenching or grinding of the teeth. The important thing to note is that a nightguard alleviates the symptoms of grinding or clenching but isn’t able to directly treat the root cause.

Even so, a night guard is typically a great option to help manage the effects of bruxism, as the root causes can be challenging to diagnose, multi-faceted, and potentially costly and invasive. In addition, bruxism is often attributed to stress, manifesting into clenching and grinding unconsciously / while sleeping. Because the sources of the stress or an individual's reaction to stressors are unique, it is typically beyond the scope of general dentistry to treat. 

How does a nightguard work?

In principle, a nightguard creates a protective layer between your teeth. To help alleviate clenching, a nightguard may have a soft layer to cushion and spread the jaw forces. For grinding, a protective hard layer helps to shield the opposing teeth from wearing at each other and provides a smoother surface to glide on.

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.

 What is bruxism? 

Bruxism is a clinical term describing an individual's unconscious clenching, grinding, or "gnashing" of their teeth. Everyone may exhibit this behavior to some extent. Still, the clinical focus is on cases where damage or pain is caused to the patient. Typically we see clenching or grinding occurring while sleeping. Still, it's also prevalent during physical exertion (like exercising at the gym) or during stressful situations (perhaps when focused at work).

What symptoms might signal a need for 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.

How can my local dentist tell me if I need a nightguard? 

While it is common for patients to tell our staff and doctor that they are experiencing the symptoms of jaw pain, it is also very noticeable for our doctor to diagnose symptoms of bruxism. Pre-mature wearing and 'flattening' teeth 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.

What are the different types of nightguards? 

A very wide range of nightguards is available for your local dentist to custom fit for you. Additionally, some over-the-counter products can work for some patients. However, we typically find patients cannot comfortably sleep with the bulkier over-the-counter or ‘drug store’ nightguards.

Broadly, your local dentist should be able to offer soft night guards, hard night guards, and a dual laminate "hard/soft" night guard. Additionally, there is a range of dual-purpose night guards and similar dental appliances, including sleep apnea, retainers, and even teeth whitening.

Our patients typically find the soft night guards the most comfortable because they are thinner and more flexible. However, they are only recommended for "light" or "moderate" clenching/grinding because they wear down quickly and can not withstand the bite forces subjected every evening. Even so, some patients of ours request these annually or semi-annually as they "wear" them down because they cannot use the slightly bulkier alternatives.

Hard night guards are more popular for those who grind their teeth than clench. If the main objective is to prevent, wear of the teeth and jaw pain or pressure has not been an issue – the hard night guard allows the patient to be in a thinner guard, which can be more comfortable for some.

The combination of hard and soft night guards is the most popular as it treats the broadest range of patient needs. The inner layer is a soft material to cushion and distribution of jaw pressure from clenching. While the hard outer layer provides protection from the grinding that can cause damage to the opposing teeth. This combination is effective for even severe bruxism. However, it is typically the bulkiest option, with some patients unable to sleep comfortably when wearing the appliance.

There are also specialty or mixed-use guards, such as sports guards or athletic guards, which can help with bruxism during physical activity while also protecting from impacts or blows that can occur during sports.

 Do I need a nightguard?

If you are experiencing the symptoms of bruxism, one question you can ask yourself is if the condition is recurring or only on a specific trigger. As the root cause of bruxism is typically a response to anxiety or stress, if you can alleviate or train yourself to avoid clenching or grinding as a reaction – you may be able to manage it without any dental appliance. View all our Winter Park dental services.

 However, if your symptoms are more chronic, or you have had dental work or other conditions which 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 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.