What Is The Best Night Guard For Teeth Clenching?

If you suffer from unconsciously grinding or clenching your teeth - otherwise known as bruxism - then you know the impact it can have on your teeth and your overall health. You have also probably heard that a night guard is one of the best ways both protect your teeth and help to ease some of the other symptoms you may be experiencing, like headaches or jaw pain. But did you know that if you primarily clench your teeth rather than grind them, there are additional considerations to keep in mind when choosing a night guard?

First, it’s important to understand the difference between grinding and clenching your teeth.  Grinding involves moving the jaw with the teeth held together, while clenching is simply holding the teeth together and tightening the jaw muscles.

Though clenching might seem like it would cause less damage than grinding because of the lack of movement of the jaw while it’s happening, it can still cause some serious damage. The effects on your teeth can include causing cracks and damage to dental work such as crowns or veneers. Clenching is also just as likely to cause jaw pain and tension, as well as troublesome headaches. Because of all of these factors, it’s important to act early to prevent the damaging effects of teeth clenching and to do so in a way that combats clenching the best. The differences between grinding and clenching may seem subtle, but they do impact night guard choice, particularly the type of material the night guard should be made out of.

When choosing a night guard for clenching, the key factor to keep in mind is the material. Among people who primarily clench their teeth rather than grind, some find that soft materials actually encourage their clenching. As their teeth bite down on the soft material, it may cause them to have the feeling that they need to clench even more. Of course, this is not necessarily the case for every person who clenches their teeth, but it is worth noting. Because of this, a firmer or harder material might be more beneficial and less likely to encourage further clenching. Hard materials also tend to be more durable, depending on the severity of your clenching.

Choosing a night guard with a harder material also impacts where you’re able to get your night guard. Over the counter boil and bite night guards are typically made of a soft material, which as we now know, might not be ideal for clenchers. In order to get one made of a harder material, you will likely need a custom night guard. Custom night guards are also beneficial due to the more precise fit which makes the guard not only more effective in protecting your teeth, but also makes for a more comfortable fit.

Though getting a custom night guard online didn’t used to be an option, it’s now easier than ever to get a guard made just for you and your clenching needs from the comfort of home. At Chomper Labs, you can get a night guard custom made to fit your teeth exactly. You can also choose your material, including hard and hybrid materials, which has both a hard and soft layer of material. They also have customer support available to help you if you still aren’t sure about which material to choose for your specific needs.

Armed with the knowledge of what makes teeth clenching different than grinding and how that impacts the best night guard for teeth clenching, you’ll be well on your way to preventing damage and getting relief.