Bruxism, which includes jaw clenching and teeth grinding, is a very common condition, which affects both adults and young children. Although teeth grinding can occur during the daytime, it most commonly occurs during sleep. Some dentists treat the condition with a dental night guard, worn over either the lower or upper teeth to create a cushion between the teeth to prevent grinding.
Teeth grinding may occur due to stress, or in children, due to the development of teeth. In both adults and kids the jaw muscles tighten and the lower and upper teeth slide repeatedly, or grind over each other. The problems associated with the condition include, jaw and ear pain, including damage to the jaw joint, headache and damage to the teeth.
There are a few materials that a dental night guard can be made from, including plastic and acrylic. Both materials work, although acrylic guards tend to be less flexible and may stay in place better, preventing grinding moe effectively. However, they are often more expensive than a plastic guard.
Although a dental night guard can be purchased over-the-counter, some guards cannot be custom fitted and may not be as effective. Because the guard is not fit specifically for an individual's mouth, it may also be uncomfortable. Most dentists do not recommend this type of guard.
Dental night guards which are made to be custom fitted at home are also sold at drugstores and online. They are usually made of plastic. The guard is placed in boiling water to make it moldable. As soon as it cools to avoid burning the mouth, an individual places it onto his upper or lower teeth and leaves it there for a few minutes. As it cools, the device molds itself into the shape of the person’s teeth.
In order to get the best fit for a night guard, most dentists recommend having a night guard fitted by a dentist. The dentist will take an impression of the patient's teeth and a guard will be created to custom fit the individual's teeth. Children may need to get a new mold made periodically due to growth in the mouth.
For the dental night guard to help reduce problems associated with teeth grinding, it’s important to wear it every night. Some people may eventually stop grinding their teeth overtime and the device won’t be needed. Children especially tend to outgrow teeth grinding. To maintain the device, it should be cleaned every time it’s used by brushing it with toothpaste and rinsing completely.