Night Guard

Home care instructions for Night guard 

This night guard is designed to protect your teeth from grinding but is unlikely to stop your grinding habit.

Grinding and clenching are most commonly caused by stress or posture-related neck and back issues.  In order to stop grinding/clenching we advise you seek additional therapeutic help from your osteopath, physiotherapist, chiropractor or myotherapist. 

Using your night guard.

  • Your night guard is designed to fit to the lower teeth at the front of your mouth. 

  • Fit your night guard as you go to bed. It should be snug but not uncomfortable.

  • Remove it in the morning, and rinse it in cold water. You may brush your night guard but do not use toothpaste as this will roughen the rubber surface.

  • It is advised to use a Sterident tablet once a week to keep the night splint as clean as possible.

  • After removing the night guard in the morning, your bite may feel different – often the front teeth don’t touch. If this is the case, take two of the pieces of rubber supplied and bite on these pieces with moderate force 3-5 times, for 20-30 seconds each time. It is important that you bite on the rubber pieces with your back teeth and both sides at the same time. This should help settle your bite. If your bite does not feel normal by the afternoon, discontinue use and call bc dental. 

Tips:

  • It can take a while to get used to wearing your Night Guard, the first few nights you may wake up and find it out of your mouth. Persist! You have the smallest and most comfortable guard available and without it your teeth will suffer.

  • Your night guard may become loose over time. If this happens there is a small risk of inhaling it. Should you feel your night guard has become loose or is ill fitting please discontinue use and contact us.

  • Only wear your night guard in times of stress or when you are aware of clenching or grinding throughout the day. If your muscles have been relieved and you are aware that you are no longer clenching or grinding, try to stop using it.

Please bring your night guard with you to your appointments.