What Are Night Guards?
Night guards are appliances that go over your teeth and are made to keep the teeth safe from the damage that results from grinding or clenching your teeth, operations that are also referred to as bruxism.
Bruxism is one of the most common cases, where a person grinds or clenches his/her teeth while sleeping without realising it. This, thus, often results in the wearing of teeth, the pain of the jaw, and headaches. In their release, Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her team at Lema Dental Clinic mentioned that the use of a night guard can keep your teeth safe from the damaging effects of grinding, which separates the upper and lower teeth, absorbs the force of the grinding, and lowers the chance of dental injuries such as enamel wear, fracture, and tooth sensitivity. Besides that, night guards may also help in the alleviation of pain in the jaw muscles and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is, after all, the most frequent occurrence in bruxism.
Night guards are not only a necessity for wear and tear prevention; they also contribute to overall oral health by lessening tension and strain in the jaw and enhancing sleep quality. An accurately fitted night guard can be the cause of the disappearance of the pains related to the tightening of the jaw and headaches brought about by the over-clenching of the muscles, thus giving great relief and comfort to patients who suffer from bruxism. Night guards are a necessary safety measure against the problem of grinding of the teeth, and if they are taken care of in the right manner, they can give you protection for a long time against various dental complications.
Types of Mouth Guards and Their Durability
Stock Mouth Guards
- Description: Stock mouth guards are pre-formed and can be used directly off the shelf. In general, they come in standard sizes and do not need any kind of customisation. These are the most affordable mouth guards.
- Durability: A stock mouth guard can generally be used for half a year to one year. Its lifespan is, however, primarily dependent on the user’s teeth-grinding intensity and frequency. It is made of minimal protective gear and may not give a comfortable fit.
Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
- Description: These guards consist of a thermoplastic material that becomes soft when heated. Once the material is softened, users can apply the appliance to their teeth, thereby getting their individual fit. They have higher elasticity in comparison to the mouth guards that come with the stock.
- Durability: The longevity of the product is from 1 to 2 years. The fit is improved as compared to that of stock guards, yet the degree of comfort and safety may still be lower than that of a tailor-made variant.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
- Description: Custom-made mouth guards are created by a dentist or dental technician after receiving accurate dental impressions of your teeth. These mouth guards are the most hygienic and safest with the best proper fit and can protect you most effectively when made from a custom fit.
- Durability: The average time that such a device lasts varies between 2 and 5 years and depends both on the material used and the severity of bruxism. These guards are the most durable and provide superior comfort and effectiveness.
How Long Can A Night Guard Last?
The lifespan of your night guard is a source of a lot of questions from the patients. Some of the answers are:
Firstly, the lifespan of the night guards depends on the types of material, the use of the devices, and the intensity of bruxism. Generally, patients who grind their teeth severely and also clench their jaws with force will be more likely to change their night guard more frequently. One particular night guard under extreme pressure is probably going to start showing its features of wear a lot earlier than a night guard under less pressure you use. A high-quality custom-made night guard with a perfect fit and made of durable materials will generally last longer than an over-the-counter product. But on the condition that your grinding is tremendous, even the occasional custom night guard has to be changed.
Additionally, the second factor, i.e., the material, plays quite a decisive role in the lifetime of your night guard. For example, a hard acrylic or dual-laminate custom night guard will be very sturdy, while a soft, flexible one will get worn out in a very short period of time. Moreover, it is quite important that you have your night guard in good condition and that you keep it properly if you want to extend its lifespan. If you do not pay attention to your guard and forget to clean it, and then expose it to heat or moisture, it will definitely result in the breaking of the device at a very early stage of its life. Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her team suggest that you clean your night guard with a soft toothbrush and a mild soap which will be a great help in keeping it in condition for the longest time possible.
How Often Should You Change Your Night Guard?
The amount of time between night guard replacements should be determined by the material of the night guard and how it is used. A night guard that is made for you specifically and is well-maintained can generally be used for 2 to 5 years, whereas a night guard bought from the store may only be good for 6 months to 1 year. As the device gets worn out or deformed, its function to protect your teeth decreases. In case you see any signs of wear or feeling of discomfort, don’t hesitate to change your guard. Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız announced that a replacement at the right time is very important in achieving the desired effect of the protective device in the prevention of injuries caused by grinding and clenching.
Your oral health condition plays a vital role in determining how long your night guard will last, besides the quality of the material and the usage. If your bruxism is quite severe, then your night guard will wear out faster and thus you will need to change it more often. A badly fitting guard that cannot be properly covered should be changed immediately. Visiting your dentist regularly will allow you to get advice on when to replace your night guard and whether it would be a good idea to change to a more resistant material that suits your habit of grinding.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Night Guard
The night guard has to be replaced once the user is able to visually detect any broken or worn parts. A cracked, torn, thinned, or deformed guard that does not provide optimal protection is definitely the spot to indicate a change. Also, if the night guard gets uncomfortable or you can no longer wear it properly, it is time to have a new one. When the appliance is worn, it loses the ability to absorb the force caused by grinding which may result in dental damage.
It is a change of night guard that can also solve the problem when jaw pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity worsen after its use. Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her team recommend that the condition of the night guard be regularly checked during dental visits to support the timely replacement and continuous protection of oral health.
Advantages of Substituting Your Night Guard for a Brand-New One
Some of the advantages of substituting your night guard with a new one are enhanced protection, increased comfort, and greater effectiveness. A night guard loses its ability to cushion your teeth and protect your jaws from the forces of grinding and clenching as it gradually becomes worn over time. Thus, a new night guard will more accurately fit your teeth and make sure they receive the protection during sleep that they require. Your discomfort due to an ill-fitting or worn-out guard will be alleviated, too, by the new guard, so that you may have a more restful sleep and less tiredness of your jaw muscles.
Moreover, you can choose to upgrade your night guard material to a better-quality one that may be more durable and effective at preventing dental problems, once you get a new night guard. For instance, a custom-made guard may be the most appropriate solution for you if you have extremely severe bruxism or have suffered a lot of tooth damage. Besides that, the act of changing your night guard guarantees that you are continuously protecting your teeth from the threat of wear, fractures, or misalignment. The good fit and durability of the new guard are the factors that will help you keep your oral health for a long time.
Expected Lifespan of Different Types of Night Guards
| Type of Night Guard | Expected Lifespan | Best For |
| Stock Mouth Guards | 6 months to 1 year | Occasional users or mild teeth grinding |
| Boil-and-Bite Guards | 1 to 2 years | Moderate grinding or occasional use |
| Custom Night Guards | 2 to 5 years | Severe grinders, nightly use, long-term protection |
References
- American Dental Association. (2020). Mouthguards: A guide for patients. Retrieved from https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/mouthguards
- Bader, J. D., & Lavigne, G. J. (2008). Bruxism. Dental Clinics of North America, 52(3), 441-452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.02.007
- Belli, S., & Tan, E. (2019). Effectiveness of mouthguards in preventing bruxism-related dental issues: A systematic review. Journal of Prosthodontics, 28(5), 563-568. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopr.12797
- Kushida, C. A., & Lavigne, G. J. (2014). Management of sleep bruxism. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 9(4), 455-465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2014.07.004
- Santos, A. C., & Silva, L. J. (2017). Durability and comfort of custom versus over-the-counter night guards: A clinical study. Journal of Clinical Dentistry, 28(2), 105-112. Retrieved from https://www.jcdjournal.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Mouth Guards
If your night guard visually shows worn parts such as cracks, thinning, or if it is out of alignment, then you need to replace it immediately. You may also experience unpleasant feelings, a change in fitting, and an increase in jaw pain; these can also be the signs of a replacement.
It will take regular cleaning to keep your night guard healthy for a long time, but a fact remains that it will inevitably be worn and a new one will have to be bought. When the guard can no longer protect your teeth or is unpleasant to wear, it is definitely time for a replacement.
Grinding teeth during sleep heavily will damage your night guard in a very short time, thus you will usually have to get a new one every 1 to 2 years. A custom-made guard, even if it is frequently used, might still be able to maintain its functionality for a longer time than a few-cost night guards.
Custom night guards offer a more comfortable fit, are more durable, and have a longer lifespan, thus, they are more efficient in protecting your teeth. Because they are made only for your mouth, the lifespan of the guard is considerably longer than compared of an over-the-counter option.
Night guards are intended for use during the night only; however, some people may wear them while they are playing a game or doing some other activity during the day. Still, if you are planning to wear it during the day, make sure that the guard is suitable for being worn in the daytime.
If you have a pain in your jaw, then a night guard will surely be a great help. The grinding of teeth is stopped by a night guard; thus, less pressure is put on the jaw muscles. The device takes the impact and so the muscles of the jaw become loose, which means that the pain subsides.
Typically, night guards cannot stop teeth from moving as a result of orthodontic treatment. If you are concerned about teeth shifting, then you should consult your dentist for different options.
