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.

Is it better to wear mouth guard on top or bottom?

For teeth grinders, a night mouth guard goes on your bottom teeth because that gives the best results. But if you cannot wear a night guard on your bottom teeth for some reason, then a dentist can make a custom night guard for your upper teeth.

What type of night guard is best for clenching?

Soft Night Guard

This is the most commonly used type of night guard for teeth to treat Bruxism and used mostly for mild or occasional cases, not for severe teeth grinders.

Which is better hard or soft night guard?

Night guards must be hard. Hard night guards allow the lower teeth to slide around freely when the lower jaw is in motion. The problem with soft night guards, commonly found at local drug stores, is that they exacerbate bruxism because the jaws naturally want to chew soft things.

Why are mouth guards only for top teeth?

You Only Need a Mouth Guard for Top Teeth

For example, boxers wear mouth guards that cover both the upper and lower teeth. This is because they're more likely to receive blows to the jaw.

Are Night Guards REALLY Worth It?

How thick should my night guard be?

What is the right night guard thickness for Bruxism? Nightguards are designed for the user from a variety of different durable materials depending on the teeth grinder's needs and are typically between 1 and 3 mm thick.

Can you wear a top and bottom night guard?

Between both upper or lower night guards, the best results come from using a night guard for bottom teeth. People also find that these particular night guards are more comfortable and are a better fit. Night guards for bottom teeth are also less likely to trigger a gag reflex.

Why does my night guard feel so tight?

When you first receive your night guard it may feel a little tight and you might find you wake up with sensitive teeth. For the most effective results, wear the night guard every night. The tight feeling will ease with time. If you forget to wear it, the tightness will return.

Should night guard cover gums?

It Should Not Go To The Gum.

Since custom night guards are meant to prevent grinding they do not need to extend all the way to the gums. Your night guard will only come about half way up most of your teeth.

Should night guards cover all teeth?

A well-fitted mouthguard will cover all of your teeth (excepting the back molars) and some of your gum, but it shouldn't overwhelm the entire upper jaw. Finding and wearing the right mouthguard during play is the key to protecting yourself and your mouth from contact-related injuries.

How long does it take for a night guard to work?

While at first a night guard can take some adjustment, after just a few weeks most patients will be completely adjusted to their new appliance. Many patients will even reach the point that they begin to feel uncomfortable and not sleep well without the night guard in place.

Should my teeth hurt after wearing a Nightguard?

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.

Should mouthguard cover bottom teeth?

A common misconception is that to provide ultimate protection, a mouthguard must completely cover all teeth, however an overly large mouthguard will cause the wearer to gag. Mouthguards should not go so far back in the mouth that they hinder speech or make breathing more difficult when playing sport.

Can my night guard cause gum recession?

Can Mouthguards Make Your Gums Recede? 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 my night guard shift my teeth?

A night guard can shift your teeth, most especially if it was not custom-made to make a perfect fit in your mouth. 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 a night guard makes clenching 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.

How can I make my night guard more comfortable?

Dr. Loev suggests running your appliance under warm/hot water for about a 30 seconds to a minute prior to placing in your mouth (make sure it's not too hot). The interior material turns almost into a gel making it much more comfortable to place in your mouth and creating a more comfortable fit every night.

Why does my jaw hurt after wearing night guard?

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.

How do I choose a night guard?

You should choose the material for your dental guard based on the severity of your bruxism. Usually, thin, lightweight dental guards will work for daytime wear to prevent clenching and light grinding.

Do night guards help with clenching?

A dental night guard protects the teeth from damage by cushioning the effects of clenching while sleeping. This cushion barrier helps to prevent chipped teeth and worn-down teeth, two of the more common problems associated with the act of clenching one's teeth.

How long do night guards last?

Night Guards will have varying durability depending on a number of factors. 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 is the thinnest night guard?

The Ultra Thin Night Guard

It's our thinnest guard (about 0.8mm in thickness), and is designed to be less noticeable and allow you to speak normally. The thin yet hard and rigid material offers plenty of protection and is perfect if you often catch yourself grinding or clenching during the day.

Can hard night guard damage teeth?

Functions of the night guard

This could cause different problems, such as jaw pain, tooth pain and sore gums. It can also damage the teeth.

Can wearing a Nightguard cause cavities?

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

Can you drink water with a night guard in?

Yes, it is alright to drink water while wearing your mouthguard. Make sure to floss and brush your teeth before wearing them to ensure no food and bacteria will be stuck to risk tooth decay and Mouthguard stains.