When Should You Replace Your Nightguard? A guide
Dental nightguards are medical coverings used to prevent the grinding of teeth or clenching. They help to provide relief from pain caused by jawbone disorders and subsequent tooth breakage.
Importance of Nightguard
The importance of a dental nightguard lies in its ability to protect one’s teeth and jaw from conditions like teeth grinding or jawbone disorders. The following notable points are worth mentioning regarding its advantages:
- Grinding and clenching of teeth can lead to the wearing of the tooth enamel and subsequent tooth breakage. Nightguards act as a barricade between the upper and lower teeth and prevent this from happening.
- Constant grinding and clenching can lead to the development of stress in the jaw muscles. A dental nightguard prevents that and helps reduce jawbone disorders.
- Dental implants, such as crowns, veneers, bridges, etc, can get damaged due to excess clenching and grinding. Nightguards help protect such restoration works.
- By preventing grinding and clenching, dental nightguards also help maintain the alignment of the teeth in the jaws. Nightguards in Plant City are famous and well known among patients.
- By preventing jaw pain and toothaches, dental nightguards ensure their users a sound sleep free from discomfort.
Why Does It Need To Be Replaced?
Replacement of a dental nightguard is vital to maintain proper oral and dental protection and hygiene. Nightguards are not made to last forever. Their frequency of replacement depends on the type, grinding habits, and maintenance habits. Custom-fitted nightguards have a long life and need to be replaced only after two to three years of extensive usage. Whereas stock nightguards are the least durable and need to be changed every three to six months. Loose fitment, gum damage, dental odours, and breakage of dental implants are some of the symptoms that indicate the need for replacement of the nightguards.
How To maintain Dental nightguards?
Dental nightguards can be maintained to improve their durability and tightness. These are some of the ways to do so:
- Regular cleaning of the nightguards with non-abrasive toothpaste should be done.
- Soaking of the dental nightguards in the dental cleaners or retainers with warm water should be practiced at least once a week.
- The nightguards should be stored in air-pact and moisture-proof cases when not in use to prevent bacterial growth and damage.
- Exposure to high heat and sunlight should be prevented to ensure the long-lastingness of the nightguards.
- Over usage of dental nightguards should be avoided to extend their life and prevent frequent replacements.
A dental nightguard is a preventive tool that protects one’s long-term oral health, reduces pain, and preserves the health and function of one’s teeth and jaws. In doing so, nightguards also ensure one receives a sound sleep by relieving one from headaches caused due to jaw pain. Dental nightguards can be used throughout the day to ensure les and less grinding of teeth while engaging in day-to-day activities. Dental nightguards are a person’s insurance policy against tooth breakage and wear, especially for people who have very rigid jaws.
