Night guards are the go-to fix for protecting your teeth against the damage of teeth grinding and clenching. These tiny but mighty oral appliances aren’t a cure for bruxism, but they can reduce the harm it does to your teeth, gums, and sleep quality.
There’s a catch, though — wearing the wrong night guard can actually make those symptoms worse. In this guide, we’ll explain how to choose the right design and fit to promote restful sleep and enhance overall comfort.
How Bruxism and Sleep Interact
There are two categories of bruxism: awake and sleep. Most of the time, people wear night guards for sleep bruxism because they’re not aware of their grinding, and the damaging actions typically last longer than awake bruxism. But nocturnal teeth grinding and clenching don’t just hurt your teeth and gums. It interrupts your sleep patterns.
When the jaw muscles clench or grind during sleep, the movements create a tension that leads to micro-arousals — disruptions in your slumber that you don’t remember. Although you aren’t “bothered” by the wake-ups, they interrupt the deep rest cycle that the body needs for recovery and restoration.
The result? You feel sleepy the next day, and the tight jaw muscles leave you with morning headaches, sore facial muscles, and dental wear. Night guards protect the teeth by preventing them from touching and gaining the traction the muscles need to grind and clench.
How Night Guard Design Impacts Sleep Quality
Most of us need to feel comfortable to sleep restfully. When the temperature is a little too hot or too cold, we toss and turn. The wrong pillow or blanket can leave us sleepless for hours. Now, imagine having a night guard in your mouth that pushes against your throat, is too hard to feel natural, or simply slides around.
The fit and material of a night guard affect sleep because, instead of feeling like a natural extension of your body, the wrong device seems like an intruder to your brain.
Poorly fitted guards are bulky. They overlap your teeth and gums and irritate the soft tissue. If they’re too big or small, they slide off your teeth and need to be pushed back into place, causing you to wake constantly.
Properly fitted guards, on the other hand, slide over the upper or lower arch of your teeth seamlessly. They’re thin enough to feel natural, but durable enough to protect against grinding. The effect is a comfortable device that reduces muscle tension and promotes jaw relaxation.
Comparing Designs For the Best Fit
So what kind of design is best for comfort and sleep quality? While the final answer depends on factors like your preferences and the severity of grinding, there are two consistent qualities to look for in a night guard that offer the best fit and a natural feel: custom-made fit and high-quality materials.
Custom-Made Fit
Boil-and-bite and over-the-counter night guards may “fit” your mouth, but they aren’t designed to match your exact palate. They end up being too bulky, keeping your mouth from closing comfortably while you sleep. Even if you’re a sound sleeper, this bite change reduces saliva production, causing you to wake up with dry mouth or snore loudly.
Custom-made guards are fabricated from digital images or an impression of your teeth. They slide over the upper or lower arch, covering each nook and cranny and matching your bite. You can breathe easier and sleep better. (For more information on whether you need an upper or lower night guard, see this article by JS Dental Lab.)
High-Quality Material
Over-the-counter night guards are more affordable up front, but manufacturers often use inexpensive, softer plastics that wear down quickly. Because you grind through them so fast, you end up replacing them throughout the year.
Custom-made guards may carry a higher price tag, but they also feature professional-grade, high-quality materials designed for heavier use and durability. These night guards offer superior protection against bruxism, giving your jaw muscles relief from the stress of clenching and grinding.
Custom guards also offer a variety of textures to suit your comfort and bruxism level:
- Soft night guards are made of flexible thermoplastics that protect your teeth while adding maximum comfort. These are ideal for mild or occasional grinding.
- Hard night guards, made from acrylic and other durable materials, are effective for those who need extra protection against moderate-to-severe grinding.
- Hybrid night guards provide a middle ground, featuring a soft inner lining for cushioning and a hard outer shell for durability. These work well for mild-to-moderate grinders who want comfort and a long lifespan for their oral appliance.
Look for BPA-free, medical-grade plastics such as EVA, PETG, and copolyester. When you order from a dental professional or an online lab, these ingredients are usually the gold standard.
Conclusion
You want to protect your teeth from grinding and sleep better, so you need a night guard designed for durability and comfort. Investing in a customized oral appliance made from high-quality materials and personalized to your comfort level is the best way to ensure you get your restful, restorative sleep back and avoid the damage caused by bruxism to your oral health.