Night guards play a crucial role in protecting one’s oral health, especially for individuals who grind their teeth during sleep. For those individuals who unknowingly grind their teeth, the consequences can range from enamel wear and chipping to gum recession and jaw pain that can accumulate over time. 

In this article, our team at Weston Dental Office will illustrate the importance of teeth grinders having a night guard and what the benefits are of having one. 

How Does a Night Guard Work? 

A night guard, typically made of acrylic, forms a horseshoe-shaped pad that fits over your teeth. It can be designed for either the upper or lower teeth, offering equal efficacy. The primary functions of a night guard include providing a protective layer for teeth to prevent enamel wear. When a night guard is worn, one can’t wear down or chip their tooth enamel. On the other hand, a night guard can facilitate free motion during grinding. This helps to eliminate harmful lateral forces. 

Tooth Grinding Symptoms 

Tooth grinding can lead to several detrimental effects on one’s oral structures. Night guards act as a protective barrier to minimize damage caused by grinding. Symptoms of teeth grinding include the following. 

• Enamel Wear & Chipping 
• Gum Recession 
• Abfraction or “Tooth Divots” 
• Jaw Pain & Functional Problems 
• Acceleration of Gum Disease (“Periodontitis”) 

How Much Does a Night Guard Cost? 

Since there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to night guards, all guards have to be customized to the teeth they are fitting. Between the custom-fit process and the cost of the guard itself, one is looking at a bill of anywhere between $300-$400. A dental laboratory is needed to take dental impressions which can take anywhere between 10-14 days. Some dental insurance covers night guards while others do not. 

Frequently Asked Questions of Night Guards 

To help you get a better understanding of night guards and their role, our team has put together here some of the most common questions we hear and what their answers are. 

• Are all night guards the same? No. Based on the acrylic type, night guards can range in hardness to softness and these items are tailored to meet one’s individual needs. 
• Do night guards prevent teeth movement? Typically, a night guard is placed in either the upper teeth or the lower teeth, not both. The section that has a night guard covering them is less likely to move. Whereas the free teeth are likely to move and shift as they please. 
• Can night guards cause teeth to shift? While forced placement can theoretically cause movement, there is no evidence to support that a night guard causes shifts in teeth. 

Contact Our Trusted Dental Office  

In conclusion, night guards emerge as a necessary shield against the adverse effects of teeth grinding. At Weston Dental Office, our dental experts emphasize the importance of these acrylic barriers to maintain healthy teeth. If you are ready to attend a dental check-up, we provide General Dentistry in Toronto and our clinic would be happy to assess your teeth for signs of grinding. Book with us today at 416-247-1928.