Night Guards - Some Common FAQs

Grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep is quite common. However, if you experience any tooth pain, jaw pain, or headaches in the morning, it is time to wear a night guard.

Here are answers to some common questions you may have concerning night guards and how they protect your teeth.

What Are Night Guards?

Nightguards are mouthguards made of clear plastic, custom-designed to fit properly in your mouth. They cushion your teeth from any damages from grinding or clenching at night, preventing headaches, jaw pain, inflamed gums, and other discomforts.

Why Should I Wear a Night Guard?

Wearing a night guard is the best preventative measure to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. This way, you can eliminate the discomfort you will experience and the cost you will incur to repair your damaged teeth.

Why Is Night Guard Mostly Preferred?

The reasons for wearing a night guard will vary depending on patients, but generally, it is recommended to:

• Ease Discomfort: Nighttime teeth grinding can cause severe tooth pain and headaches in the morning. If you regularly wake up with pain or discomfort, you should wear a night guard while sleeping. We have found that our patients feel better after wearing it for a few days.
• Prevent Damage: Teeth grinding can impact the results of your cosmetic or teeth repair treatment as well. As a result, your teeth can crack, chip, flatten, or wear, exposing dentin and eventually causing sensitivity when you eat or drink. If left untreated, you could experience receding gums and loose teeth. However, wearing a night guard will prevent your teeth from grinding and save yourself from extra surgeries.
• Treat TMJ: Severe grinding or clenching can cause temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ disorder, which begins with a sore jaw with occasional headache in the morning. If left untreated, TMJ can become severe, making it difficult to open your mouth, eat, or speak. Wearing night guards can protect your teeth from clenching and grinding and prevent TMJ disorder.

Are Night Guards Comfortable to Wear?

Yes! We use durable and comfortable materials to create customized night guards that match your teeth.

Can Night Guards Treat Sleep Apnea?

Standard night guards are not used for treating sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is treated with a different type of oral appliance. To know more about sleep apnea treatment, please contact our medical specialists at our Des Moines dental clinic for further information.

How Long Will a Night Guard Last?

A dentist-designed night guard can last for years or even decades if you maintain it well. We will provide you a hard case along with a night guard to help you store it safely. The generic night guards available in the stores are not designed to be long-lasting and susceptible to any wear and tear.

How Can I Take Care of My Night Guard?

To keep your night guard in good condition, brush it regularly with a soft toothbrush, toothpaste, and lukewarm water. This will remove the plaque buildup on it. You can also soak weekly it in a dental solution, but make sure to dry it thoroughly to prevent any bacterial buildup.

Visit our dental clinic in West Des Moines at Smiles on Hickman to receive the best night guard to solve your problems and protect your teeth. If you are a resident of Des Moines, you will find that we rank among the top dental care brands for all preferred “dentist near me” web searches.