How long a night guard lasts also depends on the severity of your bruxism. Regardless, always replace your guard immediately if:. You can increase the lifespan of your mouthguard by taking good care of it. Night guard maintenance is something that most people forget about, but it's an important part of your bedtime or morning routine. Bacteria love the dark and moist environment of your guard, which is why you should sanitize it after every use. There's many ways to clean your mouth guard.
The simplest way is with some good ol' soap and water. This is due to the solid hard plastic used throughout the guard. Acrylic and acrylic-like plastic is a more durable material and can be known to last for 5 years or more under regular use. Note: If you choose a thin style of any of the above mentioned guards, you can expect to gain comfort and a minimalist feel, but you will also be sacrificing durability. These are: the severity of your teeth grinding as an individual, and the age of the individual.
The age of the individual is a viable factor, since, for younger patients such as children, the night guards need to be changed frequently to accommodate the growth of teeth and teeth movement. Despite the assured durability of a given type of night guard, there are certain practices that can cause the night guard to wear out faster than expected.
One of these practices is poor night guard maintenance. A common mistake, made by many people, is washing night guards using hot water. Hot water is known to weaken the plastic, and as a result, the night guard loses shape and fails to fit well in the mouth, calling in for a replacement. Eating and drinking with your night guard on will also contribute to reduced durability.
The food or drink may discolor it and the food particles may accumulate on the mouth guard, providing a breeding place for bacteria and viruses.
Over-the-counter night guards are sold at most drug stores. While they are the cheapest option, these guards are not recommended by dentists to treat bruxism or TMJ for fear that they may cause an abnormal bite.
They do not have the durability, quality, or customization that custom-fit mouth guards offer. As a result, they do not last as long either. Custom night guards are the dentist recommended treatment option for bruxism. These guards are customizable to the individual and provide a barrier between the teeth to prevent grinding and clenching. These guards generally come in four types: soft, hard, hybrid, and daytime guards.
These night guards are suited for light to moderate grinders. The soft night guard is also a good option for those who clench their jaws because its soft material absorbs clenching forces. It is made of a rubbery, flexible material. Soft night guards generally last between 6 months and 2 years based on the severity of grinding. Hard night guards are made from a more durable acrylic material, making them the perfect solution for heavy to severe grinders.
Due to this tougher material, the hard night guard can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years before replacement. The hybrid guard or dual laminate night guard is for moderate to heavy grinders.
It is composed of a hard outer material and a soft inside, providing both durability and comfort. These guards may last between 1 and 3 years. When wearing your Occlusal Guard do not eat or drink anything other than water as this may discolor it. After removing your Occlusal Guard in the morning, brush it with your toothbrush and toothpaste and rinse with cold water.
Also, never rinse your Occlusal Guard with hot water as this can distort the shape and cause it to no longer fit. When not in use, place in your night guard container and let it air dry.
The Occlusal Guard cost will of course vary greatly from dentist to dentist. It can be an extremely worthwhile investment in the long run. It may prevent you from needing more expensive dental work in the future, such as broken fillings, cracked teeth crowns , and periodontal problems bone loss.
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