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What are the benefits and uses of Occlusal Guard and Night guard?

Dr Sayeedi

Are you developing dental issues or problems related to them, like snoring, headaches, neck pain, or restlessness? You may have tooth sensitivity issues directly linked to subconscious activities like teeth grinding and clenching. Your dentist may recommend an occlusal or night guard to solve the problem. If you are also confused about the occlusal vs. night guard comparison, here are the benefits and uses you need to know.

Top 15 benefits and uses of Occlusal Guard and Nightguard. 

The benefits and uses are the same compared to occlusal and night guards. It is because these are two different names for the same thing. So, here are the top 15 benefits you can entail by using these. 

  • Teeth protection from grinding during sleep 

A fantastic benefit of selecting one from the occlusal guard vs. night guard comparison is protection from teeth grinding. It is a subconscious activity we don't have much control over. However, it can bring significant damage to our teeth, including decay. 

So, wearing the guard will ensure that our teeth do not take any damage. Due to this usage of occlusal guards, you can prevent breakage, cracking, or chipping of teeth along with sensitivity.

  • Jaw and tooth pain prevention 

Besides teeth grinding, selecting one from the occlusal vs. night guard comparison reduces clenching. It is a common habit that is out of control. It affects our teeth during sleep and can also go on while awake. 

As a result, there is jaw tension that causes severe pain. These guards can relax the jaw and ensure we do not clench to cause stress or pressure on our oral muscles. 

  • These guards can be made custom to patients' jaws.

Considering their comfort, if you are confused about the occlusal guard vs. night guard comparison, do not worry; both can be made custom according to your oral cavity. Dentists can design these with your oral cavity, ensuring a comfortable feeling and perfect fit every time you wear these. 

With a custom design, you get these guards not to feel odd as the fitting on every tooth is tight and comfortable.

  • Prevent frequent headaches and migraines.

Excessive jaw grinding and clenching affect our teeth and cause further headaches and migraines. It is because of the muscular fatigue they create in the head and neck region. 

When you wear these guards, the subconscious act of clenching and grinding can reduce, resulting in a reduction in jaw aches, neck pain, frequent migraines, and headaches. 

  • Promote a healthy sleeping routine.

Dental issues like grinding and clenching seem to cause no problems with your sleep. However, every time you do these, the muscles in your neck and head get stressed, which results in bad sleep quality. Bad sleeping quality can lead to further issues, including hypertension, heart-related problems, fatigue, etc. 

Wearing a night guard means your jaw aligns perfectly and your muscles relax. It also allows other muscles and nerves in the surroundings to relax, which gives you better sleep. 

  • Use it to stop snoring.

One of the many uses of occlusal guards is to stop snoring. Snoring happens due to excessive movement in the jaw during sleep. When the jaw moves, it causes activity and vibration in the throat, which results in a snoring sound. 

The worst part is that the person going through all this does not know about the situation. Instead, people sleeping near you know more about it and often find it hard to sleep when you are snoring. 

  • Resolve problems like Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Dentists try multiple solutions to treat OSA or obstructive sleep apnea. It is a situation where the pathway for air gets obstructed when you breathe. It creates a snoring sound, but more importantly, it creates disturbances in sleep. 

With occlusal guards, the jaw can be positioned perfectly while you sleep. So, the muscles relax but do not create any problems with the air path as you breathe during sleep. 

  • Save money on dental surgeries by protecting your natural teeth

Wearing these guards while you sleep can bring huge savings your way. It is because dental surgery costs are high when your teeth crack, break, or chip. The treatment can cost huge sums even when enamel depletes due to these subconscious habits. 

On the other hand, getting a night guard is a cheap alternative that works well to protect your teeth for a long time. The best part is that it saves both your time and money. 

  • A long-lasting investment that can bring benefits for years

The time one-night guard can last varies depending on the following things: 

  • The material used for making it
  • Usage conditions 
  • Cleaning routine 

However, on average, a night guard can last 5-10 years. A night guard will prevent around 5-10 years of damage your teeth may take otherwise. 

  • Prevent enamel erosion and make your smile look better

If you face teeth grinding or bruxism, then enamel erosion is a problem you will also face. Enamel erosion can lead to other dental issues like hypersensitivity. It also makes the teeth appear yellower no matter how clean you keep them. 

The worst part is that you don't know that you grind your teeth during sleep, so you cannot solve the issue. The problem can be solved by wearing night guards, quickly preventing enamel erosion. 

'Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.' –Mallory Hopkins 

  • Reduce the chances of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

When we clench during sleep, the Temporomandibular joint gets all the tension due to clenching. The worst happens in sleep, so the problem is recurring. When the jay is not aligned correctly, the condition is called Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. One way to reduce the clenching and align the jaw correctly is by wearing occlusal guards while sleeping. 

  • It helps relax jaw joints and causes neck pain.

Grinding and clenching cause tension in the neck and jaw muscles, making the joints and muscles in these regions overwork. You will probably wake up with stressed and tired muscles during such conditions. 

Wearing a night guard during sleep helps relax the joints and muscles in these delicate areas, releasing tension. So, when you sleep, you do not overwork the joints and muscles in these areas. 

  • Individuals with braces can wear these.

Once you install braces, you will face several restrictions about what you can eat and put in your mouth. However, a significant benefit of the occlusal vs. night guard comparison is that you can wear these over the braces. As these guards are made to custom fit your oral cavity, these will provide maximum comfort to your mouth and protection to the braces.

  • One can wear these at any time of the day to get better oral health.

Multiple conditional triggers lead us to subconscious activities over that we have no control. People going through phases of stress or anger often clench their teeth without knowing. The excellent part about occlusal guards is that you can wear these during the whole day. You only need to remove them while eating. Thus, you get protection for your teeth for the entire day. 

  • Occlusal guard and night guard are not the permanent dental device

Unlike braces and dental implants, these are not permanent. It means that you can remove and wear these whenever you want. Thus, the comfort level and control over your life will be unbeatable. 

Conclusion 

An occlusal guard vs. night guard comparison can be confusing. Both are the same, with the name being the only difference. So, their uses and benefits also stay the same. If you are facing some subconscious dental issues, your dentist may recommend you one of these. You will see that problem going away with routine usage and several other benefits.

Contact your dentist in Union City, Dr. Zafar Sayeedi, at Noble Dental Care to know more about the benefits and uses of Occlusal Guard and Night Guard.

Resource:

Occlusal guard vs. Night Guard, which is the better option?

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.

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