Mouth Guard Nightguards are a specific type of mouthguard that you wear at night to prevent bruxism or sleep apnea. These conditions cause pain, sleep disturbance, migraines, and many other symptoms. Nightguards come in a few different styles and materials. We recommend a custom-fitted night guard from New Life Dental, since they are the most comfortable and have the best protection. We will, however, provide you with information about the various available types, as well as night guard maintenance.Related Dental ConditionsThere are two main reasons why people choose to wear night guards: bruxism and sleep apnea. Bruxism, otherwise known as teeth grinding, is a condition which causes people to clench and grind their teeth while they sleep. There are many causes of this, such as anxiety, and it can be quite painful. Nightguards help by creating a barrier between your lower and upper teeth. Even though you may still make the grinding motion, your teeth never actually touch. Sleep apnea is a condition which causes the patient to stop breathing periodically during sleep. There are several different types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes be helped with a nightguard. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway closes due to jaw misalignment or muscle weakness. Nightguards assist by pushing the jaw forward to keep the airway open. Fitting ProceduresYou have several different types of night guards available to you. They can either be hard or soft, and they can have different fits. Hard night guards are less comfortable but offer much more protection than soft night guards. These are recommended for more severe cases of teeth grinding or sleep apnea. Soft night guards work well for patients with minor issues. These are not as strong, but they are much more comfortable. Regarding the fit, night guards can be over-the-counter (one-size-fits-all), boil and bite, or custom (professionally made). Over-the-counter night guards do not fit specifically to your mouth, therefore they are not as protective, and they may be loose. Boil-and-bite night guards are able to mold to your teeth after you soften them in boiling water. Custom night guards are the best choice if you want maximum protection and comfort. We make these by first obtaining a dental impression, which is then used to create a mold of your teeth. Our dental lab then crafts your night guard to fit this mold. We will check the fit when you pick it up and make any slight adjustments necessary. Night Guard MaintenanceWe will give you a storage case for your night guard. It is important to keep it in the case to preserve it for as long as possible. In addition, wash it every day using soap and lukewarm water to prevent bacteria build-up. This will protect your teeth and also give you more use out of the nightguard to ensure its longevity. You will need to bring it to each of your routine appointments so we can check the fit and condition. To get a custom-fitted night guard, call New Life Dental at (227) 258-3188. |
 Office HoursMon-Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm *Closed for lunch 12-1pm Mon, Tues, Thurs & 1-2pm Weds Fri: Closed |
