A dental night guard is one of the most widely used dental appliances for maintaining dental health. The main purpose of the mouth guard, which is worn during sleep at night, is to prevent damage to the teeth caused by bruxism (teeth clenching) and grinding.

Teeth clenching and grinding is one of the common disorders seen in people. The dental night guard (mouth guard or night plaque) prevents damage to the teeth by minimizing the effects caused by such habits that can damage the teeth.

What is Night Guard?

A night guard is an oral appliance specially prepared by dentists to prevent and/or alleviate involuntary movements such as clenching or grinding during the night.

Individuals clench their teeth at night due to various problems such as stress, anxiety, or insomnia. This situation damages dental health over time as well as mental health. Because of grinding at night, people can suffer from severe pain during the day and sleep deprivation.

Night guards are usually made of transparent or lightly colored plastic that is specially molded for the patient. The main function of this guard is to reduce the contact between the teeth, which are in severe contact with each other due to clenching during the night. This prevents the teeth from breaking, wearing down, or developing jaw joint problems.

Night plaque should be used under the guidance of a dentist. The guard that remains in the mouth during the night is removed in the morning. It is very important to clean it regularly to keep it clean.

Who Should Use Night Guard?

gece plağı
mouth guard

We can summarize the disorders that necessitate the use of night plates as follows;

  • Bruxism: Bruxism is the discomfort of clenching or grinding teeth at night (or sometimes) during the day. People with this condition should use a dental guard at night since this habit causes teeth to wear over time. Thanks to the mouth guard, the possibility of damage to the teeth can be minimized.
  • Jaw Pain and Headache: Muscle tension occurs in the jaw as a result of bruxism. Therefore, individuals complain of head and jaw pain. Dental night guards help alleviate these pains.
  • Stress and Anxiety: Stress or anxiety can trigger clenching. With the help of the night guard for teeth, stress and anxiety-induced clenching can be reduced.
  • Sleep Disorders: People may also clench their teeth due to sleep disorders. For this reason, it is recommended that people who have difficulty sleeping at night use dental guards.
  • Tooth Wear: Bruxism is seen in the majority of people with tooth wear problems. It is important to use the guard to protect teeth and prevent abrasion.

Night guard should be prepared and used under the supervision of a dentist in order to prevent the deterioration of the tooth structure, the emergence of jaw joint problems, and the occurrence of pain due to teeth clenching and grinding problems. People with the above-mentioned disorders should start using the guard as soon as possible. You can contact us to get more detailed information about the use of night guards.

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What are the Benefits of Using Night Guard?

We can list the benefits of dental night guards, which are produced individually by taking the patient's impressions, as follows;

  • Teeth are protected: Tooth abrasions, cracks, and fractures caused by bruxism can be prevented with night guards. The guard prevents the teeth from coming into direct contact with each other.
  • Sleep quality improves: Sleep quality, which deteriorates due to teeth clenching, is improved.
  • Jaw, joint, and headaches are reduced: Jaw muscles strained due to teeth clenching can cause pain in various areas. These pains are minimized by using a mouth guard.
  • Tooth wear is prevented: Teeth that put pressure on each other wear down in time. This pressure is eliminated thanks to the night guard, which ensures that there is space between the teeth.
  • Tooth aesthetics are preserved: Abrasions and fractures caused by bruxism are also eliminated with the help of the guard. As a result, dental aesthetics can be preserved.

How Night Guard is Used?

night guard
night guard

Night guards are mostly used to prevent unconscious clenching and grinding of teeth during sleep. If a person clenches his/her teeth during the day due to various reasons such as stress or anxiety, the guard is also suitable for use during that period of time of the day. The dental night guard, which is specially prepared in the laboratory after the patient's impressions are taken, can be worn on the upper or lower jaw depending on the condition.

People who are about to use the night guard before bed should brush their teeth first. It is not recommended to use the night guard for more than 12 hours a day. The most appropriate duration of use for the individual is decided after the dentist's examination.

Pay attention to remove the night guard before consuming and hot food or drinks so as to preserve its shape. It is extremely important to clean the night plaque with soap and water or a soft toothbrush after each use. Regular use of night trays improves oral and dental health.

How Is Night Guard Made?

Night guards are prepared in accordance with the teeth and mouth structure of the patient. The preparation stage of the guard is as follows;

  • Dental check-up and examination: If you think you need a protective aligner from clenching, you should first consult a dentist. During this check-up, your general condition will be assessed and, if appropriate, a decision will be made to start the treatment process.
  • Taking impressions: After the examination, impressions of the patient's upper or lower teeth are taken. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that the night guard fits the patient's teeth in perfect harmony.
  • Making the mouth guard: The guard is manufactured in the laboratory from transparent or flexible plastic in accordance with this impression.
  • Adjusting the guard: The fit of the guard to the teeth is checked. The dentist makes sure that the guard prepared specifically for the patients fits perfectly.
  • Explanation of instructions for use: If the dental night guard is in the right form for the patient's teeth, the treatment is completed and the instructions for use of the guard are explained. The person is informed about when to use it and how to clean it.

NOTE: Each patient has a different tooth and jaw structure. That's why the dental night guard preparation process and instructions for using it may differ. For this reason, a dentist's guidance is needed before making the guard.

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You can contact us to get detailed information about night guard and pricing.

FAQ

Does the dental night guard work?

Night guards prevent tooth wear, cracking and fractures caused by bruxism. In addition, pain in the jaw, head and neck caused by clenching teeth is also alleviated by them.

How long is the night guard used?

The duration of use of the guard varies depending on the person. In general, the mouth guard is used between 6 months and 3 years.

Does night plaque prevent clenching?

Answer. Night guard prevents the problem of involuntary clenching of teeth both at night while sleeping and during the day. In this way, the person can sleep more comfortably and get rid of head and jaw pain.

Should I wash the night plaque?

Night plaque can be washed with soap and water. It is also possible to clean dental night plaque with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent damage to the plaque.