Over-The-Counter vs. Custom Night Guards

If you grind your teeth at night, you know how annoying the results can be. Along with waking up sporadically, teeth grinders often suffer from headaches, jaw pain, and oral health problems, such as worn-down teeth. The good news is that these uncomfortable symptoms can be managed and prevented by wearing a night guard when you sleep. If you’re unfamiliar with how night guards work or how they can benefit you, the trusted team at Soothing Dental can help. Here’s what you need to know about over-the-counter vs. custom night guards.

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Overview of Both Night Types of Night Guards

Night guards are devises a person wears to protect their teeth from becoming damaged while they sleep. Night guards can help protect your teeth from wearing down over time and prevent unpleasant symptoms, such as headaches and jaw pain, from teeth grinding or clenching.

There are two types of night guards: over-the-counter and custom-made. Over-the-counter night guards can be purchased at a pharmacy or retail store; they can be bought in a standard size that fits most people or a “boil and bite” type, which can be molded to fit your teeth more precisely. Custom night guards are created at your dentist’s office and are made to fit your mouth perfectly.

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Why Does Someone Need a Night Guard?

Bruxism is a condition that occurs when a person grinds or clenches their teeth; it’s estimated that it affects as many as ten percent of people in the U.S. While bruxism may not seem like a serious condition, it can negatively affect your oral health, and overall quality of life if left untreated. If you grind your teeth, clench your jaw, or have TMJ, your dentist may recommend wearing a night guard to prevent damage to your teeth and manage your symptoms.

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Over-The-Counter Night Guards

Over-the-counter night guards are known for their convenience and affordability. While going to the store to pick up a mouth guard sounds simple, they have disadvantages. The most important aspect of any night guard is how it fits. In general, over-the-counter night guards are thicker than custom ones. This makes them uncomfortable for many people to leave in their mouths while they sleep. If it’s uncomfortable, you won’t wear it, which means the well-being of your teeth could remain compromised.

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Custom Night Guards

Going to the dentist to have a custom night guard made may not be as convenient as stopping by the store on your way home from work, but it’s certainly worth it. Custom night guards are made from quality materials, such as acrylic or dual laminate, that will stand up to the wear and tear of being worn every night. Because they fit your mouth perfectly, they’re comfortable enough to sleep in, so you’ll be more likely to wear them as you should, and your teeth will be well protected.

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How Do You Choose the Right Night Guard?

If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, wearing a night guard can improve your sleep quality and help you maintain a healthy smile. Whether you choose an over-the-counter night guard or one that’s custom-made depends on the following factors:

• The severity of Grinding: If your bruxism is a serious problem, finding a night guard that you will wear night after night is essential.
• Comfort: You won’t wear a night guard that doesn’t feel good. Be sure to find one that is comfortable enough to sleep in.
• Durability: Is your night guard made from quality materials that will last longer than a few weeks?
• Cost: Night guards may seem expensive, but they’ll likely save you expensive dental bills by preventing oral health problems.

If you’re unsure which type of night guard would be best for you, talk to your dentist. Together, you can weigh the pros and cons of an over-the-counter and custom night guard to keep your smile healthy for years to come.

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Protect Your Smile with a Custom Night Guard at Soothing Dental

You don’t have the suffer from the effects of bruxism forever. The experienced team at Soothing Dental can help you protect your oral health and manage the symptoms of teeth grinding with a custom night guard. Schedule your appointment at Soothing Dental today!