How Night Guards Prevent Grinding

By Golden Dental

April 15, 2015

Category: Oral Health

Tags: Night Guards

Tooth grinding can not only be an uncomfortable and painful habit. It can also negatively impact the health of your teeth and gums. Teeth grinding, a condition known as bruxism, can wear down the enamel on your teeth and leave your teeth prone to decay.

But there is help for teeth grinding. Your Lancaster, CA dentist may recommend night guards to combat your bruxism and save your Mouth Guard teeth from wear and decay.

What is a Night Guard?

A night guard is a special type of dental appliance that helps to prevent tooth grinding. The guard acts as a protector between your teeth to shield the teeth from the friction of grinding.

There are several types of night guards that offer similar functions. The major differences between night guards are the fit and quality.

Stock Guard

These night guards are inexpensive and can be purchased at sporting goods stores. Though they are simple to buy, they may be quite bulky and they cannot be adjusted to fit your specific bite.

Boil and Bite Guard

These types of mouth protectors are available for purchase at drug stores and athletic stores. They are also inexpensive, but they can offer a better fit than the stock mouth guards. They are made from a special plastic that softens when boiled. Once soft, the mouth guard is placed in your mouth while you bite down to create an individual fit.

Custom Mouth Guard

A custom mouth guard is created by your Lancaster, CA dentist. They are the most expensive type of night guard, but they are custom-designed specifically for your mouth so they fit much more comfortably than either kind purchased from a store.

A mouth guard worn at night can protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. By protecting your teeth, you can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

If you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist to find out if a night guard is right for you. Golden Dental of Lancaster, CA offers a full array of dentistry services to meet your individual needs. Schedule an appointment today to protect your teeth from tooth grinding.

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