If you grind your teeth at night, you are probably looking into getting a night guard to sleep with and protect your teeth and the sensitive tissues in your mouth.
A night guard is a plastic device that fits over your teeth and is designed to prevent you from damaging your teeth when you clench your jaw or grind. You might, in fact, already have one of these and find that it’s taking some getting used to.
While grinding your teeth (also called bruxism) can interrupt your sleep and leave you feeling poorly rested, getting used to wearing a night guard can also rob you of a little shut-eye. So, we’ve put together some tips to make the transition as easy as possible.
Make sure you invest in a custom night guard.
The biggest complaint when it comes to night guards is discomfort. This is especially true from those whose night guards do not fit particularly well. If your night guard is sliding around, sitting too low on your gums, or banging into the soft tissue at the back of your mouth, you are going to have a rough time of it. We highly recommend you spend your money on a custom teeth night guard that is designed specifically around your teeth. Then, it will sit firmly in place, and you will avoid irritating your gum line.
Opt for softer plastic for an easier transition.
When you first start out with a night guard, you might need to transition slowly. It is a good idea to begin with a night guard made of softer, more flexible plastic as these are specifically designed for comfort. Once you have become accustomed to wearing the night guard, you might move to a medium or hard density design. These designs will last longer than the soft plastic and may be necessary if you are a particularly aggressive teeth grinder.
Keep a cup of water with a straw by your bed.
You may find that your mouth feels a little drier in the middle of the night when you wear a night guard. However, the night guard can make it trickier to drink out of a water bottle or glass, especially when you are just barely awake for a moment between dreams.
So, get yourself a cup with a lid and straw. This way, you will find it easy to drink water and avoid spilling. The straw directs the water to the center of your mouth, so it doesn’t get under the night guard unless you want to swish it around a little.
Practice good oral hygiene.
For the good of your teeth and your sleep, make sure your brush and floss well, and don’t forget to include your night guard in your routine. You should clean your night guard thoroughly and regularly and make sure it fully dries out during the day to inhibit bacteria growth. Bacteria builds up on a night guard, just like it builds up in your mouth. You don’t want to wake up with extra disgusting breath or find yourself haunted by a foul taste in the middle of the night.
Move your brushing routine to an earlier time.
If you have a hard time falling asleep when you get in bed, it might be a good idea to brush your teeth a good half hour or more before you go to bed. Minty or cinnamon-y toothpaste can leave your mouth feeling zesty and fresh. But that sensation can be distracting, even a little invigorating at a time when you are hoping to start feeling sleepy. This can be especially true if you are wearing a night guard because the presence of the night guard makes you even more aware of the sensations in your mouth. So, consider giving your mouth a little cool down time before hopping into bed.
Try a new pillow.
Some side sleepers find it particularly hard to adjust to the feeling of the night guard touching the inside of the cheek that they are resting on while sleeping. Fortunately, the internet offers a sea of pillow designs these days. There are all kinds of ergonomic and position-specific pillows – even some with holes in them that can alleviate the pressure on your cheek as you sleep. So, if you know that you are irritated by the sensation of the inside of your cheek pressing against the night guard, find yourself a pillow with a cutout that will take that pressure away.
Try wearing the night guard for an hour before bed.
If you find yourself taking a while to adjust to the feeling of the night guard each time you put it in, don’t wait until right before bed to do that. Then, you’ll be trying to adjust to the feeling while also trying to fall asleep. Doesn’t sound very restful, does it? Instead, give yourself a little head start by brushing your teeth and putting your night guard in an hour before bedtime.
Find your custom night guard now.
If you are still on the hunt for the most comfortable night guard, we recommend checking out our standard soft custom night guard design that is tailored toward comfort. It is soft, flexible, and has a slim, non-obtrusive design. And if you are ready for something with a little more durability, you can see our range of night guard designs. We have a lot, and they all come based on a personalized mold you make of your own mouth. That way, they bring you a perfect fit. Our night guards are all made by hand at our US-based Sparkling White Smiles Dental Lab. Visit TeethNightGuard for more details.
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EXTRA DURABLE 3MM CUSTOM NIGHT GUARD - MAXIMUM DURABILITY AND COMFORT - MOST RECOMMENDED
$109.99
Item Number SWSPRO Manufacturer Sparkling White Smiles Dental Lab Rating Product Description - 3mm is the Recommended Standard Thickness for a Professionally made Custom Night Guard - Our Custom Teeth Night Guards are BPA, Latex, and Phthalate Free - MOST RECOMMENDED… Read More