Can Nightguard cause problems?

And, a poor-fitting guard doesn't protect the teeth; in fact, it actually leads to greater problems like jaw pain and soreness. The ill fit of a generic night guard can throw off the alignment of the jaw. Recurring jaw pain is usually a clue that there is a problem with the night guard's fit.

Can a mouthguard cause damage?

If you use a mouthguard properly, then it should actually protect your gums, rather than damage them. If, however, you use a dirty, damaged or ill-fitting mouthguard then you could actually be damaging your gums.

Can Nightguard damage teeth?

If you don't properly care for your nightguard, it could potentially lead to the development of cavities.

Can wearing a night guard make TMJ worse?

While most night guards can prevent enamel wear by avoiding direct teeth contact, it does not prevent grinding and clenching. In some cases, night guards actually increase the activity of the muscles that clench and this makes TMJ pain worse.

Why do my teeth hurt after wearing my night guard?

If you do experience pain or your mouth is hurting after wearing a night guard, it is a sign that your night guard is not fitted properly in your mouth. The device may be too large or too small and is not providing the adequate protection that you desire and need.

Could you benefit from a night guard

How tight should a Nightguard be?

Your Custom Night Guard Should Feel Snug.

When you first put it on, the night guard may feel tight, but it needs to fit securely to stay on your teeth without being held in place with assistance from your jaw. The snug fit will keep the custom night guard in place so that it does not fall out during the night.

Why does my night guard feel so tight?

That “tight shoe” feeling is actually a good sign that it fits well to your teeth and that it will stay in while you sleep. Most of the new generation night guards use a special material that is actually quite pliable on the inside while maintaining its rigidity on the outside.

Can a Nightguard make clenching worse?

What's more: the design of many night guards causes the posterior teeth to touch the guard's plastic while the anterior teeth hardly touch the guard or do not touch it at all. The unevenness of tooth contact with the night guard can lead to even more clenching, grinding and TMJ problems.

Can a night guard shift your jaw?

If you use an over the counter night guard or ones that only cover the front teeth, more than likely, your back teeth will shift due to the pressure that your jaw exerts on them.

Can mouthguard make teeth grinding worse?

Unfortunately, mouth guards—which provide a small barrier between the teeth and are thought to protect against the effects of teeth grinding and jaw clenching—may not work. And they might even make things worse.

Can mouthguard cause infection?

According to a study published by American General Dentistry (AGD), mouth guards can be the breeding ground to life-threatening bacteria, yeast and mold. Germs found in mouthguards can lead to strep and staph infections, which could leave the entire team on the bench.

What can I use instead of a night guard?

Is my night guard causing gum recession?

Night guard – Grinding your teeth at night is called bruxism, resulting in constant and intense pressure on your teeth and may stress your gums as well and worsen your recession. A night guard can absorb some of the pressure on your teeth so that your gums don't start to recede.

Can a mouthguard cause mouth sores?

Poorly fitting mouthguards also cause sores. Sores mean your mouthguard isn't comfortable, which means you aren't wearing it properly, which means you aren't protected. Oh, and sores also give bacteria access points into your body, which could lead to illness.

Can I wear a mouthguard all day?

More about daytime clenching

Those day mouthguards are made of clear soft plastic material, so you can wear them all day long. By wearing a day guard on your bottom teeth, you can take pressure away caused by daytime clenching and grinding.

How do you know if your jaw is misaligned?

How can I relax my jaw when I sleep?

Massaging your jaw may help increase blood flow and reduce muscle tightness. You can try this by opening your mouth and gently rubbing the muscles next to your ears in a circular motion. This is the area where the temporomandibular joints are located. Try this several times a day, including right before bed.

Should I be able to close my mouth with a mouthguard?

Your guard should fit snug against your upper teeth, without needing to bite or clench the mouthguard… If you have to bite or clench to keep your mouthguard in place, your mouthguard does not fit properly. Again, your mouthguard should stay securely and tightly on your upper teeth without falling out or shifting.

Is Upper or Lower night guard better?

Upper guards are typically recommended because they don't remove easily compared to lower teeth nightguard. Dentists favor lower guards because they are often more comfortable and easier to get used to. The ideal night guard should protect all your teeth while not affecting your natural bite.

Can a mouthguard cause neck pain?

If you know you clench or grind and use a mouth guard to protect your teeth, the feel of the mouth guard in your mouth can drastically increase how much clenching you do in your sleep, leading to more back and neck pain, and perhaps other symptoms that get diagnosed under the label "TMJ disorder".

Can I be allergic to my mouthguard?

Allergic reaction to the components of the oral device can occur in any patient with any device. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA),2 polycarbonate, nickel metal, dyes, and latex can all create an allergic reaction when in contact with oral mucosa.

How often should I change my night guard?

A night guard will have an average lifespan of 5 years, but depending upon the wear, it can need replacement in just 1 year.

What happens if you don't clean your night guard?

Since you wear mouthguards in your mouth, it's important to keep them clean. That's because bacteria in your mouth can build up on your mouthguard. Without regular cleaning, the bacteria can multiply, causing infection or bad breath.

Can bruxism cause inflamed gums?

Sleep Problems

If you suffer from bruxism, you may have complications such as TMJ disorders or irritated, inflamed gums. Grinding your teeth while asleep can put enormous pressure on your teeth, gums, and jaw, which is why many people end up with cracked or chipped teeth from grinding.

Does a mouth guard help receding gums?

A mouthguard, or splint, can help prevent gum recession at night due to teeth grinding. Mouthguards create even pressure across the jaw and act as a physical barrier to separate the top and bottom teeth.