Can You Sleep With A Mouthguard?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you suffer from problems like obstructive sleep apnea or teeth grinding,

your dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard to sleep

. This can be an abrupt and uncomfortable transition for many patients, but it shouldn’t cause you to lose any sleep.

What does a mouthguard do at night?

A dental night guard

protects the teeth from damage by cushioning the effects of clenching while sleeping

. This cushion barrier helps to prevent chipped teeth and worn-down teeth, two of the more common problems associated with the act of clenching one’s teeth.

What does a mouthguard do?

Mouthguards

cover your teeth to protect teeth and gums

. Custom-fitted mouthguards fit and protect your teeth better than over-the-counter mouthguards. Night guards can ease bruxism (teeth grinding). Kids and adults should wear mouthguards during contact sports or activities like biking.

Can you choke on your night guard?

As a general statement,

a night guard is much too large to be a true choking hazard

. If the night guard does get dislodged during sleeping, it is easy to locate and remove from the mouth therefore choking on the appliance would not be a likely occurrence.

Do mouthguards protect bottom teeth?


Mouth guards are used as protection over your row of teeth

. It’s the perfect way to keep your mouth safe while enjoying an activity. You only need a mouth guard for the top teeth. Unless you wear braces on your bottom or top teeth you only need to wear a mouth guard for the top row of your teeth.

How long does it take to get used to a mouthguard?

On average, the body takes about

two weeks

to adjust to this phenomenon. Other than a bad taste in the mouth, you may also wake up with your mouth feeling dry.

How long does it take to get used to wearing night guard?

It’s common for people to take

up to three weeks

to adjust to wearing a night guard, but, if you’re still having problems after three weeks, talk with your dentist about other options or order a night guard with a different profile and fit.

How do you sleep with teeth guards?


Put the night guard in right before bed to minimize discomfort

. Most people fall asleep in 5 minutes. Hang in there for at least a month . After that, you’ve created a habit and you’ll will get used to wearing it.

How long does a mouth guard last?

Night Guards will have varying durability depending on a number of factors. A night guard will have an average lifespan of

5 years

, but depending upon the wear, it can need replacement in just 1 year.

Can you talk with a mouth guard?

How does a mouth guard stop you from clenching?

Night guards for teeth are also known as dental guards, mouth guards, nocturnal bite plates, or bite splints. They work by putting a barrier between your teeth. When you clench your jaw, the night guard for teeth

helps to lighten the tension and give cushion to the muscles in the jaw

.

How do you relax your jaw?

Relaxed Jaw (Relax)


Place your tongue on the top of your mouth, behind your upper front teeth

. Allow your teeth to come apart (your mouth to open) while relaxing your jaw muscles. Let this be a natural relaxation rather than forced as your goal is to loosen up your tense jaw muscles.

Can mouthguards cause cavities?

Guard Teeth Against Damage

With wearing down of enamel increases the risk around the roots.

This also leads to cavities

, toothache and sensitive teeth. A sports guard protects teeth from the damage by preventing clenching while sleeping.

How do you clean a mouth guard?

  1. Rinse your mouthguard with cool water.
  2. Add a capful of mouthwash to a clean glass.
  3. Dilute with water until there’s enough liquid to cover your mouthguard.
  4. Soak your mouthguard for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove and rinse with cool water.
  6. Let the mouthguard dry.

Should night guard be on top or bottom?


Upper guards are typically recommended because they don’t remove easily compared to lower teeth nightguard

. Dentists favor lower guards because they are often more comfortable and easier to get used to. The ideal night guard should protect all your teeth while not affecting your natural bite.

Should my teeth hurt after wearing a Nightguard?

Can a Night Guard Hurt My Teeth? Night guards are small trays that you place on your teeth as you sleep. These trays provide a protective barrier to prevent damage from occurring to your teeth. When you wear night guards,

they should not cause any pain

.

How do you adjust to sleeping with a night guard?


Start with Short Periods

As soon as our team has completed your night guard, we recommend that you wear it in small spurts throughout the day to help your mouth get used to it. Even wearing it for 20-30 minutes throughout the day can help you get used to how it feels.

Why do mouthguards go on top?

For most people, their natural position is that

the top front teeth will slightly overlap much of the front bottom teeth

. This overlap reduces the risk of bottom teeth damage but increases risk of damage to the top teeth.

What does Steph Curry put in his mouth?

Curry’s mouthpiece of choice is this

MOGO M1, a flavored mouthguard

. No wonder Curry chews them like a piece of gum! Curry seems to enjoy the flavor; it allegedly remains on the mouthguard for multiple uses. Under Armour also sells Curry’s own branded mouthguard, which he’s used during games as well.

When should you wear a mouthguard?

Wearing a mouth guard to prevent such injuries is beneficial for any athlete, but especially those who play contact sports like soccer, wrestling, basketball, lacrosse, football, etc. A mouthguard can be helpful in

any situation where your mouth may need extra protection

.

Why do people grind their teeth at night?

Awake bruxism may be due to emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, frustration or tension. Or it may be a coping strategy or a habit during deep concentration.

Sleep bruxism may be a sleep-related chewing activity associated with arousals during sleep

.

Can a night guard change your bite?

This guard works by repositioning the lower jaw (mandible) either forward or backward. While this may relieve the pressure on the jaw,

it can also permanently change your bite

.

Why are night guards so uncomfortable?

Night guards often feel uncomfortable or bulky

because of their inherent thickness

. If your bruxism is severe, your dentist may have prescribed a very thick guard, making it even thicker and more difficult to sleep with. If this is the case, talk to your dentist about a thinner night guard.

Do night guards make you drool?

Nightguard Drooling


As you adjust to night guards, you might experience drooling

. We know there’s nothing worse than wet, soggy pillows, but rest assured (no pun intended, here) that the drooling is temporary.

Can you drink water with a night guard in?


Yes, it is alright to drink water while wearing your mouthguard

. Make sure to floss and brush your teeth before wearing them to ensure no food and bacteria will be stuck to risk tooth decay and Mouthguard stains.

Why does my night guard make me gag?


The thickness of the material used for the mouthguard is the second factor that leads to gagging

. It’s important to maintain proper thickness for protection but anything beyond that could cause uncomfortable gagging. That material also makes it difficult to open and close the mouth.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.