Custom Night Guards: How Should They Fit?

How Your Custom Night Guard Should Fit

Custom night guards are created from a mold of your teeth so the mouth guard will be a perfect fit for you. This allows the night guard to remain in place all night and to make sure the teeth are not shifting. Your night guard may feel odd at first, but here’s what you should expect.

• Your Custom Night Guard Should Feel Snug. When you first put it on, the night guard may feel tight, but it needs to fit securely to stay on your teeth without being held in place with assistance from your jaw. The snug fit will keep the custom night guard in place so that it does not fall out during the night. If your custom mouth guard does not fit your teeth or if it falls off, then it has not been fitted correctly or has been damaged and you need to visit your dentist to have it repaired.
• It Should Not Go To The Gum. Night guards will not fit the same as retainers or Invisalign®. Since custom night guards are meant to prevent grinding they do not need to extend all the way to the gums. Your night guard will only come about half way up most of your teeth.
• Your Mouth Guard May Have A Smooth Or Bumpy Bite Surface. The part of your mouth guard that rests against your opposite teeth can be designed as either indented or flat, depending on how hard you grind your teeth. An indented custom mouth guard creates a space for your teeth to line up  so they can rest like they normally do (called occlusion). These custom night guards with indents are designed to prevent you from grinding your teeth as they have a place for your teeth to rest naturally. If you are someone who grinds their teeth a lot or with great force, these types of custom night guards will not stop you from grinding and you may have a sore jaw in the morning from trying to grind against the resistance created by the indent. If you are a heavy grinder, you may want the other type of custom night guard, which has a smooth surface. This one does not discourage grinding, but it does allow less resistance and therefore a less sore jaw.

Get Your Custom Night Guard From Marlborough Dental In Calgary

If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard can help prevent grinding and alleviate jaw pain associated with bruxism. A custom night guard can also help you avoid future damage and expensive dental repairs. At Marlborough Dental in Calgary, we provide comprehensive dental hygiene and other dental services including custom mouth guards to help you maintain optimal oral health. Our affordable custom night guards and custom sports guards will protect your teeth and help alleviate pain. To be fitted for a custom mouth guard choose Marlborough Dental in NE Calgary by calling us at 1-403-248-2066 or by filling out the online contact form.

FAQ

Q: Are night mouth guards bulky and uncomfortable?
A: Thanks to recent advancements in dental technology, custom night mouth guards now have a sleek, barely-there design that is still effective at absorbing the effects of clenching and grinding your teeth.

Q: What is the difference between a custom night guard and a custom sport guard?
A: A custom night guard is meant to protect your teeth from grinding together at night, whereas a custom sport guard is to help disperse pressure when the teeth suffer impact during sports. Custom sport guards are much larger and aren’t as tightly fitted to the teeth as custom night guards and therefore shouldn’t be worn to sleep.

Q: What are the other benefits of night guards?
A: In addition to preventing teeth grinding, night guards help stop damage to other dental work you may have such as veneers, crowns, and dental bridges. Night guards protect tooth enamel, reduce the risk of chipped and broken teeth, and ultimately give you a better, more restful night’s sleep.