Can A Night Guard Correct Your Bite or Shift Your Teeth?

Oral protection is essential if you grind or clench your teeth. Most people often do not take these habits seriously. But they can damage your teeth. This is where a night guard can help you and your teeth. It causes headaches, tooth decay, and jaw tension. Mouth guards used for protection purposes at night are called nightguards.

This article will help you understand how night guards work. You can also learn how to protect your oral health from wear, along with the benefits of a nightguard. With practical tips, you can avoid damage to your teeth and prevent any injury due to grinding. You will also learn why a night guard might shift your teeth. 

What is A Night Guard?

A nightguard is a special tool for protecting teeth from wear. While a retainer can help you prevent the misalignment of teeth, a nightguard prevents the side effects of sleep apnea. Teeth grinding also leads to accidental teeth movement. It covers the tooth enamel from the front and the back. This creates a layer between the teeth. This layer of protection prevents wear and tear of teeth. 

However, sometimes the guard is not fitted correctly. It can lead to a shift in your teeth. Guards that are not custom-fitted often result in such situations. But if you have a properly fitted nightguard, it will adequately protect clenching teeth. 

Custom nightguards are made with food-grade material. They might look like aligners, but they do not shift your teeth intentionally. If you need to get structured teeth, you must get braces or retainers. Nightguards are used as protective shields, not for changing or shifting teeth. 

Key Points Related to NightGuard:

Nightguards are a barrier between teeth. It helps the teeth against wear and tear. Most people unknowingly grind or clench their teeth during their sleep. It damages their enamel and can cause severe headaches. Here are some key points about nightguards: 

Preventative Measure, not Corrective:
Night guards are designed to protect the existing teeth alignment. They cushion teeth from grinding forces. They do not actively realign teeth that are already misaligned. 

Custom fit is crucial:
A custom-made night guard that is molded to your specific teeth serves the purpose better. It is essential to avoid pressure points that could potentially shift your teeth. 

Professional Consultation:
You must consult your dentist about any discomfort or any changes in your bite while wearing a night guard. This ensures proper fit and addresses any concerns. 

Nightguard Side-Effects 

Nightguards protect your teeth from wear at night. However, they come with some side effects. These issues might seem minor at first. But can damage your teeth and your oral health over time. 

Minor Discomfort

You will feel a slight pressure on your gums and teeth. It can also feel like a mild soreness. However, after a few weeks, the discomfort vanishes. If you cannot adjust to this tool and face severe yet persistent pain, you need to consult a professional.  You must give it a week or two to adjust to the nightguards. 

Poor Fit 

Your nightguard must fit properly to your teeth. Otherwise it can cause pain and discomfort. People who buy readymade guards might experience such an issue. You must prepare good quality custom night guards for proper protection. Your teeth alignment also gets affected if the guard is not fitted correctly. It does not feel compatible or comfortable with your mouth. If used for long term, if can have severe complications on your oral health.

Jaw Alignment

The fit often causes teeth alignment and jaw issues. The uneven pressure can lead to jaw misalignment. It can worsen your grind or clench effects. It can even lead to temporomandibular joint disorder. You might need expert assistance and complex treatment to resolve such a problem. This makes jaw resting in the normal position difficult. You will also experience stiffness and tension in your jaw. 

Shifting Teeth

Proper fitting of nightguard is essential. It can create unnecessary stress and uneven pressure on your teeth, causing wear. This often leads to shifting in teeth. You might feel a pressure similar to that of the braces. But instead of structured teeth, your teeth might become more uneven. You must ensure the fit is correct to avoid long-term risks or side-effects. 

Conclusion

Nightguards are a type of mouthguard. They are used for protection against wear. Most people with problems like sleep apnea and bruxism use it for protection. It looks similar to retainers but is not used to shift teeth. You need to find good quality, food-grade, and properly fitted guards. Il-fitted nightguards can cause severe risk and complications for your oral health. 

You must visit experts at Azle Dentist TX, to learn more about night guards. They protect your teeth and help you improve your oral health. You can also consult dentists at Azle Dentist TX, to learn more tips for better oral hygiene.