Have you been told by a dental professional or a loved one that you need a night guard? If so, then you might be wondering… do you need a night guard? And why are people saying that you need one?
Well, to answer that question we first have to explain exactly what a night guard is.
What Is a Night Guard?
Night guards are very similar to mouth guards in the sense that they protect your teeth from any unnecessary damage. However, mouth guards are worn while awake and usually during some kind of extreme physical activity. With night guards you only wear them while you are sleep.
They are a singular device, usually made out of plastic that has been specially molded to fit your teeth.
Generally, the night guard only attaches to your upper teeth. However, in special cases, another guard is made for your bottom teeth as well. Either way, the guard will act as a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth. It will prevent the teeth from rubbing or grinding together while you remain asleep.
How Night Guards Can Help You
The night guard will act as a barrier to help keep your teeth in pristine condition throughout the night.
This comes in handy for anyone who suffers from the extremely common condition of bruxism, which is the grinding or clenching of the jaw. This occurs most frequently when a person is either under large amounts of stress or they are sleeping.
One of the most unnerving parts about bruxism is that a large number of people who have it will not realize it on their own. Since it largely occurs while someone is asleep, it’s nearly impossible for someone to detect this by themselves.
If you sleep with a partner, ask them to inform you of any grinding or clenching they notice while you’re asleep. If you discover that this is happening, contact your dentist to see if you can get a night guard to prevent this issue from causing any more damage to your tooth enamel. Additionally, your dentist may be able to give you some tips to help prevent or alleviate bruxism.
For more information about how night guards can help you, and if having one is the right solution for any oral health issues that you may suffer from, contact our team of specialists at Acadia Dental at the Centre Mall.
