What is an Occlusal Guard (Night Guard) and How Does It Work?
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The sound of teeth grinding is an unpleasant phenomenon. It’s like being in a Hitchcock movie. Hearing it is unbearable. But even more unbearable are its consequences. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, as well as intense jaw clenching during sleep, is not only a problem for the discomfort of those around. This involuntary habit leads to irreversible damage to dental health and well-being upon waking up. Fortunately, modern orthodontic dentistry offers excellent solutions to the problem – occlusal guards. What are these structures, why are they needed, and in what cases you might be recommended such an accessory, we’ll explore this material.
What is an Occlusal Guard?
Occlusal Guards, or night dental guards, are removable orthodontic structures. They are prescribed for the prevention and mitigation of the consequences of bruxism. Bruxism involves involuntary clenching of the jaws and teeth grinding during sleep. It is often observed in children and in 7-15% of adults. In adulthood, bruxism poses a significant problem as it leads to the wearing down of permanent tooth enamel, tooth destruction due to excessive pressure, and loosening of teeth within the dental arch.
To address this issue, dental orthodontics introduced occlusal mouth guards into the world. These are soft protectors that are positioned between the upper and lower jaws during the night, thereby preventing tooth wear and pressure. These guards can be constructed from acrylic, plastic, or silicone, recommended by a dentist based on the patient’s indications and the severity of their bruxism.
Types of Occlusal Night Guards
For every problem, there exists an ideal solution. The same applies to occlusal night guards. Depending on the nature of the problem and the intensity of bruxism symptoms, patients are prescribed soft, hard, or hybrid night guards. We will now discuss the differences between them and in which cases they would be most beneficial.
Soft Night Guards
The softest and thinnest variations of constructions are prescribed at the early stage of bruxism. They are made of soft plastic and typically stand out for their versatility. Some types of such dental occlusal guard can be recommended by a doctor, while others can be purchased even at a pharmacy and adjusted independently. Specifically:
Heat it, place it in your mouth, center it relative to the dental arch, and then bite down on the guard so that its shape anatomically matches your bite. Afterward, remove and cool the guard – it will take on the shape you need. Use it during sleep and forget about the consequences of bruxism.
Hard Night Guards
These are a type of occlusal guards for bruxism prescribed at the second and third stages of the condition when its consequences are more than evident and highly dangerous. Unlike soft constructions, these guards are made of acrylic. Their main feature is resistance to higher loads during involuntary clenching of the jaws and teeth.
Hybrid Night Guards
A standardized version of night guards, made from various materials. Typically, they have a more rigid exterior and a soft interior, providing excellent force compensation during clenching. This process is similar to the suspension of a car when driving over bumps – despite the force of the shocks, the car remains undamaged. The same occurs with the dental arch during sleep, regardless of the strength of grinding and clenching – the guard absorbs the entire “impact.”
Why Would a Dentist Recommend a Night Guard?
An occlusal night guard acts as a life jacket for patients suffering from bruxism and excessive jaw clenching during sleep. Typically, bruxism symptoms become noticeable to specialists when there are obvious damages to the tooth enamel. In such cases, a dentist promptly prescribes the use of a night guard to prevent the worsening of the problem.
Here are situations in which a dentist may recommend a night guard:
- There is observable wear on the teeth of varying degrees.
- Damages of a particular nature are evident on the tooth enamel, resembling abrasions both externally and in the upper part, as if the teeth are constantly pressing against each other.
- Nighttime teeth grinding is observed (either someone has mentioned it to you, or you have noticed/sensed it yourself).
If you have noticed nighttime teeth grinding in yourself or your close ones, do not delay a visit to the dentist. Share your problem with the dentist, and they will recommend an excellent guard option based on your indications.
How Do Occlusal Night Guards Work?
Genius in its simplicity! An occlusal mouth guard for sleep operates on the same principle as, for example, a boxer’s mouthguard. It shields the teeth from mechanical damage, particularly from clenching and grinding. This orthodontic accessory, first and foremost, serves as a protective barrier, preventing the upper and lower jaw teeth from harming each other.
While you sleep, the guard works to:
- Prevent loosening of teeth due to bruxism and clenching,
- Prevent enamel damage,
- Prevent enamel wear,
- Compensate for pressure on the jaws, thereby reducing discomfort upon waking,
- Reduce muscle tension,
- Prevent headaches caused by prolonged muscle strain in the neck and jaw during
And finally, let’s emphasize:
A occlusal mouth guard is an individual orthodontic accessory prescribed by an orthodontic dentist in the presence of obvious symptoms, such as tooth mobility or wear (of one or all teeth in the dental arch). It is important not to confuse such a construction with sports mouthguards or anti-apnea devices. They serve different purposes and have completely different designs, not intended for wearing during sleep.
Occlusal Night Guards: the Most Common Questions
Is it OK to Wear a Night Guard All Day?
No, such a protective construction is designed to safeguard the teeth and prevent bruxism during nighttime. It is precisely during sleep that you do not control the force of jaw clenching and involuntary teeth grinding. The night guard is best used exclusively during sleep.
Is it Good to Sleep With a Night Guard?
Yes, the dental mouth guard not only helps avoid unpleasant consequences like tooth destruction due to bruxism but also significantly improves the quality of sleep and overall well-being in the morning.
Can You Ever Stop Wearing a Night Guard?
As a rule, to protect the teeth from involuntary grinding and clenching during sleep, it is necessary to wear the guard consistently. However, in cases where the involuntary habit of clenching and grinding teeth disappears (for example, after correcting the bite), the orthodontist may discontinue the use of the occlusal mouth guard.
Do Night Guards Hurt at First?
During the first few nights of using the construction, you may experience some discomfort. This is because it is an external removable element that requires some adjustment. Over time, this discomfort will subside, and you will comfortably use the orthodontic accessory.
Do Night Guards Change Your Bite?
Yes, with systematic use, such constructions can slightly alter your bite. This effect is particularly common in patients who already have some tooth mobility.
How to Clean the Occlusal Night Guard?
Warm water and a toothbrush are the two main tools that will help clean the occlusal guard. Make it a habit to rinse the accessory in warm water before putting it on and after waking up. Additionally, don’t forget the daily cleaning of the guard using a toothbrush. This will help remove the bacterial buildup that accumulates on its surface during use.
Additional Resources
American Dental Association – Teeth grinding and jaw pain
