You might be wondering how a mouthguard works and what kinds of mouthguards are available. Or, you might ask, “What’s the difference between a $20-night guard you buy at the store and a $200 custom night guards that’s made just for you?” We know that teeth grinding and clenching can have painful side effects, but choosing the right dental night guard shouldn’t be one of them.
Types of Custom Dental Guards
When looking for the right night guard, it helps to know how bad your teeth grinding is and what it feels like. This will help you choose the right night guard if you grind your teeth in bed. Here are the different kinds of custom mouthguards that you can get.
Guards at night
Heavy to severe grinders will love these custom night guards. Hard night guards are made of hard, long-lasting plastic and are about 1.5mm thick. Warm water makes the material soft, which makes it easier to put on. A hard mouth guard can last up to five years, depending on how much you grind your teeth.
Soft bed rails
The soft night guard is best for people who grind or clench their teeth lightly. It is made of vinyl that can bend and is about 1.5 mm thick. Most soft nightguards last between six months and two years.
Hybrid night guards
This type of night guard is best for people who grind their teeth moderately to a lot. It is made of a material with two layers and is about 2 mm thick. The outside of a hybrid night guard is hard, but the inside is soft. Depending on how much you grind and clench your teeth at night, hybrid night guards usually last between one and three years.
Guards that are very thin for daytime grinding
This is a very thin mouth guard for people who grind their teeth during the whole day. It is 1 mm thick and made of a thin layer of hard acrylic. This guard isn’t as thick as the ones you wear at night, so you can talk and breathe normally during the day.
How to Choose a Mouthguard That’s Right for You
For a teeth-grinding night guard to work and protect your teeth and jaw muscles, it needs to fit well and be made just for you.
Identify your symptoms
The best way to choose the right mouth guard is to know how bad your teeth grinding is and what it makes you feel like. You might be able to tell by yourself how much grinding is going on. If not, go see your dentist. He or she will look at your teeth or take x-rays to figure out how bad the damage is.
Comfort
A night guard made just for you should stay in place while you sleep. A dental guard that is too big can slip out of place and make it hard to breathe or cause pain. For people who grind their teeth during the day, the teeth guard should make it easy to breathe and talk. Buying a guard that is comfortable will also make it easier to wear it every day, which is an important part of treatment.
Durability
Your dental guard will wear down over time because you grind and clench your teeth. Over time, the material used to make a night guard for your teeth will be put to the test. If you choose a high-quality, long-lasting material, your night guard will last longer and need to be replaced less often.
