Protect Teeth from Grinding with Custom-Fit Night Guards
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, and clenching are common issues that affect millions of people worldwide. Both can cause dental problems like tooth wear, fractures, and even tooth loss if untreated. Night guards are a popular solution, but not all are created equal. Custom-fit night guards, the same as those supplied to UK dentists and crafted by professional dental technicians, are far superior to over-the-counter (OTC) boil and bite options. Here’s why.
The Problem with Bruxism and Clenching
Before exploring the benefits of custom-fit night guards, it’s important to understand bruxism and clenching. While both involve excessive force on the teeth, they are distinct behaviours:
- Bruxism involves grinding the teeth back and forth.
- Clenching involves pressing the teeth tightly together without movement.
Both habits can cause similar symptoms and dental issues, such as:
- Jaw pain and stiffness
- Morning headaches
- Earaches
- Tooth sensitivity and wear
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Disturbed sleep
Untreated bruxism and clenching can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, causing chronic pain and jaw dysfunction. Therefore, it’s crucial to find an effective solution to protect your teeth.
What Are Night Guards?
Night guards, also known as mouthguards or dental guards, protect your teeth from grinding and clenching damage. They act as a barrier, absorbing the force and preventing direct tooth contact. There are two main types: over-the-counter boil and bite, and professionally made custom-fit night guards.
Over-the-Counter Boil and Bite Night Guards
Boil and bite night guards are available at pharmacies and online. Made from thermoplastic material, they soften when boiled. After boiling, you bite into them to create an impression of your teeth. While convenient and inexpensive, they have several drawbacks:
- Poor Fit and Comfort Boil and bite night guards often don’t fit well. The one-size-fits-all approach rarely matches the unique contours of your teeth and jaw. An ill-fitting night guard can be uncomfortable, making it hard to sleep and less likely to be used consistently.
- Limited Protection Because of their imperfect fit, boil and bite night guards don’t offer the same protection as custom-fit options. They may not cover all your teeth adequately or distribute the forces evenly.
- Durability Issues Boil and bite guards are generally made from less durable materials than custom-fit guards. They may wear out quickly, needing frequent replacement and ultimately costing more in the long run.
- Potential for Inaccurate Molding Making a boil and bite night guard involves boiling, molding, and cooling. Mistakes in this process can result in a poorly fitting guard. Additionally, the material may shrink or distort during cooling, further compromising the fit.
Custom-Fit Night Guards
Custom-fit night guards are made specifically for your mouth using precise dental impressions. Crafted by professional dental technicians using industry accredited high-quality materials, custom-fit night guards offer several advantages:
- Precision Fit Custom-fit night guards are created from molds of your teeth, ensuring a precise fit that conforms to your dental arches. This precision provides maximum comfort and stability, allowing you to wear the guard all night without discomfort or slipping.
- Superior Protection The accurate fit of custom night guards ensures all your teeth are adequately covered and protected. The guard distributes the forces of grinding and clenching evenly, reducing the risk of tooth damage, jaw pain, and other complications.
- Professional Craftsmanship Skilled dental technicians craft custom-fit night guards using high-quality materials. These professionals ensure the night guard meets stringent quality standards, ensuring durability and effectiveness. The same dental labs that supply UK dentists produce these guards, assuring professional quality.
- Longevity Custom night guards are made from durable materials designed to withstand nightly grinding and clenching. They are built to last, often providing several years of protection with proper care, making them a cost-effective investment over time.
- Improved Oral Health A well-fitting night guard protects your teeth from grinding and clenching and helps maintain overall oral health. By preventing tooth wear and fractures, custom night guards can save you from costly dental procedures in the future. They can also alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms, contributing to better health and well-being.
How to Get a Custom-Fit Night Guard
Traditionally, getting a custom-fit night guard involved visiting a dentist, who would take dental impressions and send them to a lab. This process could be time-consuming and expensive. However, we can supply them directly to customers. Here’s how:
- Order an Impression Kit Start by ordering an impression kit. The kit includes everything you need to take accurate impressions of your teeth at home.
- Take Your Impressions Follow the instructions to take impressions of your upper, or lower teeth. This involves hand mixing putty, placing it in a tray, and pressing the tray in to create a mold of your teeth.
- Send Back Your Impressions Email us clear images of the impression before sending them back. This way we can make sure the detail of your teeth has been captured – if we think it’s not going to make a well fitting nightguard (and it’s clear you followed the instructions) we’ll send you a complimentary set of putty for free.
- Receive Your Custom Night Guard Our lab will use your impressions to create a custom-fit night guard tailored to your mouth. Once completed, the night guard will be shipped directly to your door. Our turn around time is averaging about ten working days from receiving your impressions.
This convenient process allows you to enjoy the benefits of a professionally crafted night guard without multiple expensive dental appointments.
Detailed Benefits of Custom-Fit Night Guards
Enhanced Comfort and Compliance Custom-fit night guards are incredibly comfortable because they are designed specifically for your mouth. This makes it easier to wear the night guard consistently, which is crucial for effective treatment. With a boil and bite guard, discomfort or poor fit can lead to inconsistent use, reducing treatment effectiveness.
Exact Coverage and Thickness Custom-fit night guards provide the exact coverage and thickness needed for your specific condition. Depending on the severity of your bruxism and clenching, a dental technician can adjust the guard’s thickness for optimal protection without compromising comfort. Boil and bite guards don’t offer this level of customisation, often resulting in too much or too little material, which can be uncomfortable or ineffective.
Material Quality Custom-fit night guards are made from higher quality materials than OTC options. Professional dental labs use durable, medical-grade materials that withstand nightly teeth grinding and clenching pressures, ensuring the night guard remains effective for longer. In contrast, boil and bite guards often use less durable materials, leading to quicker wear and frequent replacements.
Reduced Risk of Dental Issues Custom-fit night guards provide even pressure distribution across all teeth, reducing the risk of localized dental issues such as tooth fractures, gum irritation, or shifting teeth. The precise fit also minimizes the risk of developing sores or irritation in the mouth, common with poorly fitting boil and bite guards.
Professional Supervision While boil and bite guards are self-administered, obtaining a custom-fit night guard often involves some level of professional supervision, even if ordered directly. Dental technicians review the impressions to ensure accuracy and may consult with you to address specific concerns. This professional oversight helps ensure the final product meets high standards of quality and effectiveness.
Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness
Although the initial cost of a custom-fit night guard is higher than that of an OTC boil and bite guard, the long-term cost-effectiveness is undeniable. Due to their durability, custom-fit night guards don’t need to be replaced as frequently, saving money over time. Moreover, the superior protection they offer can prevent costly dental procedures down the line, such as crowns, implants, or treatments for TMJ disorders.
Environmentally Friendly Option
Choosing a custom-fit night guard can also be more environmentally friendly. The longer lifespan of custom night guards means fewer replacements and less waste. Additionally, we try to use eco-friendly practices, using reusable packaging. In contrast, the frequent replacement of boil and bite guards contributes to more plastic waste and environmental impact.
Investing in a custom-fit night guard is a wise decision for anyone suffering from bruxism or clenching. The superior fit, comfort, and protection offered by custom night guards, along with their professional craftsmanship and durability, make them far superior to over-the-counter boil and bite options. By choosing a custom-fit night guard, you are not only protecting your teeth from the damaging effects of grinding and clenching but also investing in your long-term oral health and well-being.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of a custom-fit night guard, order your impression kit today and take the first step towards a better night’s sleep and healthier teeth.