Do you suffer from teeth grinding, or bruxism? The easiest way to combat the symptoms is to wear night guards. They are also commonly referred to as teeth grinding guards. But how do you select the right night guard? There are two types of night guards available. Over-the-counter night guards can be purchased from most drug stores and custom night guards are made in a dental lab.
The over the counter guards are significantly cheaper than a custom night guard and tend to be bulkier and less comfortable. They don’t typically don’t last as long, as they are made from cheaper materials. Ill-fitting night guards can also be uncomfortable and cause gagging, which often leads to users not wearing them regularly.
Custom night guards are made in a dental lab using an impression of your teeth, allowing for the tightest, most comfortable fit, and are very durable. They also tend to offer a wider selection of thicknesses and material combinations, so that you can get the guard that is right for your specific grinding and comfort needs. Selecting the right night guard can save you money and improve your health.
The most important part of picking a night grinding guard is understanding your type of Bruxism. Some guards are designed to prevent teeth from grinding, others from clenching or a combination of both. At Sporting Smiles we offer a variety of material combinations to meet all grinding or clenching needs.
Soft Night Guard
This guard is constructed with 3mm of a flexible, soft, and comfortable material. This night guard works well for teeth clenching and light grinding. If you often chew through guards fairly quickly or have been diagnosed with severe grinding then you may want to explore other models.
The type of night guard you need depends on the severity of your bruxism, or teeth grinding. For example, a soft teeth grinding guard is designed for those with mild grinding, while a hard night guard works best for those with severe teeth grinding.
Single Layer Hard Night Guard
This guard contains 1mm of dense protective material. This night guard is designed for people with light grinding that prefer a thinner, less bulky solution. If you have tried other guards but find that you do not like the feeling of them in your mouth and experience gagging, then this may be the guard for you.
Dual Laminate Night Guard
This guard is 3mm thick and combines 1mm of soft inner material and a 2mm harder exterior. This guard is designed for heavy grinding and moderate clenching. It is more durable than the softer or thinner options but is more comfortable than the hard flexible night guard.
Hard Flexible Night Guard
This guard offers maximum protection with 3mm of extremely dense material but is still flexible. This night guard is designed for severe night grinding and strong clenching. If you have been diagnosed with severe grinding by your dentist, or find that you regularly chew through your current guards, then you may want to try this option out.
There are also specialty guards. They are referred to as BackCut or DayGuards. These guards will have the front incisors of the guard removed.
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[…] Choosing the right teeth grinding guard is important in order to ensure you receive optimal protection. To learn more about choosing the right guard, read “How Do I Select the Right Teeth Grinding Guard for Me?“ […]