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The Difference Between Hard and Soft Night Guards


Posted on 1/2/2024 by Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS
Image of a mouthguard. Bruxism may not be as dangerous as tooth decay or gum disease, but it can cause you a lot of pain and money. If you have heard that you have bruxism, a dentist might recommend either a soft or a hard night guard. What is the difference between hard and soft night guards? Here is an explanation so that you can figure out which guard might be the perfect fit for you.

What Is Bruxism?


People are diagnosed with bruxism by a dentist. Bruxism is the name for clenching or grinding your teeth, usually during sleep. If you clench your teeth, you tighten your upper and lower jaws, much like you clench your muscles in your arms or legs. Some people grind their teeth during the day, either by habit or from stress. This can also cause many issues.

While clenching or grinding your teeth is not a problem normally if you only do it once or twice a year, over time, bruxism can cause an enormous amount of damage. Bruxism can chip, crack, or break your teeth. You can cause your tooth fillings to loosen and fall out. You can also break dental work, such as veneers, bridges, and crowns, which means you will need to have those replaced. Bruxism can also lead to jaw joint pain, tooth pain, headaches, and ear pain.

Hard or Soft Night Guards?


Soft guards are made from rubber. Dentists usually recommend these to patients who clench their teeth but do not grind them. In general, it is easy to adjust to a soft night guard while you are sleeping. Hard night guards are made of plastic, and they take some getting used to. If you grind or clench your teeth for hours every night, you may need a hard night guard. If you are not sure which type of night guard you would benefit from, be sure to talk to our dental practitioner.
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Janice Pliszczak, DDS, 4827 Broad Road, Syracuse NY 13215 \ (315) 800-5020 \ onondagahilldentist.com \ 10/29/2024 \ Page Terms:about us,dentist syracuse,janice pliszczak dds syracuse ny