Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard

Wearing a night guard can be a game-changer for your dental health, jaw muscles, sleep quality, and even your mental health too! 

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Here are some of the benefits of wearing a night guard: 

Protects Your Teeth: Night guards help prevent damage caused by grinding and clenching, reducing the risk of chipping, breaking, or excessive wear. 

Relieves Jaw Pain: If you suffer from bruxism or TMJ disorder, a hard night guard can help alleviate discomfort in your jaw, neck, and facial muscles. 

Reduces Headaches: Grinding your teeth at night can lead to tension headaches, but a night guard helps minimize this issue. 

Improves Sleep Quality: Many people find that wearing a night guard helps them sleep more soundly by reducing disruptions caused by teeth grinding. 

Prevents Enamel Erosion: Grinding can wear down your enamel over time, leading to sensitivity and other dental problems. A night guard acts as a barrier to protect your teeth. 

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At Hixon Hills Dental, we fabricate two general types of night guards: hard guards and soft guards. The main differences between hard and soft dental night guards lie in their material, durability, comfort, and intended use.

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Here's a breakdown: 

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Soft Night Guards 

‍Material: Made from flexible materials like silicone or modified ethyl methacrylate 

Comfort: More comfortable and easier to get used to, especially for first-time users 

Best for: Mild bruxism (teeth clenching/grinding) or people with sensitive teeth 

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Pros: 

- Lightweight and flexible 

- Comfortable to wear 

- Often less expensive 

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Cons:

- Less durable — wears out faster 

- Can encourage more clenching or chewing in some users 

- Harder to keep clean due to porous material 

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Hard Night Guards 

‍Material: Made from rigid acrylic 

Comfort: Less flexible and may require an adjustment period 

Best for: Moderate/Severe bruxism (grinding); when precise bite alignment is needed; can be effective for jaw pain and headaches 

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Pros: 

- Very durable and long-lasting 

- Better protection for heavy grinders 

- Can be adjusted by a dentist for bite correction 

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Cons: 

- Less comfortable initially 

- More expensive 

- Can feel bulky 

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How does an in-office fabricated mouthguard differ from an over-the-counter guard? 

The first thing to know is that over-the-counter mouthguards are only available as the soft version. 

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While they will effectively shield the teeth from tooth wear, there are some drawbacks. 

- They are bulkier than in-office mouthguards. 

- Non-custom fit; more likely to fall out over night 

- Some patients report changes to their bite 

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Be sure to ask us if you have any questions about bite guards!