Nightguards

Nightguards in London

Safeguard your teeth from sensitivity and wear with the No.1 Nightguards in London at Dental Care Centre.
Nightguards are plastic devices customised to fit teeth position and alignment, designed to protect them during sleep from the destructive effects of bruxism. They are also utilised for therapeutic purposes if you experience snoring or sleep apnea.

You need a Nightguard if:

1. You wake up with sore jaws, a dull headache, and tooth pain.
2. If you have teeth sensitivity or cracked teeth.
3. People around you report that you produce squeaking sounds during sleep.
4. People around you report that you experience loud snoring or have repeated episodes of stopping and starting breathing during sleep.
5. You awaken with a dry mouth.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition characterised by the non-functional activity of teeth, where there is contact between the upper and lower teeth without food.
Bruxism is a condition that occurs as a result of anxiety or stress. But in some cases, underlying dental conditions, such as premature contact with a dental restoration or misaligned teeth, may lead to bruxism.
Bruxism harms the teeth, you may experience teeth wear, sensitivity, mobility, chipping, and fracture. Depending on the duration you were clenching your teeth, the treatment may involve dental fillings, crowns, and periodontal therapy. Also, it may affect your TMJ, causing joint pain and soreness of the masticatory muscles.
Nightguards create a barrier between the teeth, preventing them from touching each other. This helps to avoid the destructive effects of teeth clenching and relieves muscle stress.

Nightguards for sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterised by repeated episodes of stopping and starting breathing during sleep.
Sleep apnea patients suffer from loud snoring, waking up with a dry mouth, and feeling tired even after sufficient sleep.
Nightguards are considered an alternative treatment to CPAP machines for patients with mild or moderate sleep apnea. Sleep apnea nightguards cover the upper and lower teeth, they act by moving the lower jaw a few millimeters forward to keep the upper airway open and prevent its collapse during sleep.

Advantages of Nightguard

• Nightguards cause decreased stress on the masticatory muscles, providing a more comfortable sleep.
• Decrease teeth wear and prevent cracks and sensitivity
• Prevents TMJ disorders
• Prevents upper airway obstruction in patients with sleep apnea.
• Reduce headaches and migraines

Dental Care Centre: London’s go-to destination for customised Nightguards

Although nightguards are available in stores as stock devices that you can use immediately, stock mouthguards do not provide a sufficient fit and comfort, are easily distorted, and may cause soft tissue lacerations.
Customised nightguards are more beneficial because they are highly adapted to your teeth’ position and curvature, making them more stable, comfortable, and durable.
At Dental Care Centre, we offer top-quality nightguards plus a comprehensive examination to determine the root cause of your condition. Our experts may suggest solutions for a comfortable sleep and waking up feeling refreshed in the morning.
If you suffer from bruxism, management may involve:

1. Remove any premature contact
2. Orthodontic treatment to correct teeth misalignment.
3. Instruct the patient about stress-relieving techniques, such as meditation.
4. Prescribing antidepressants or reducing caffeine intake.
5. Construct a nightguard to be worn during sleep.

To confirm the diagnosis of sleep apnea, your dentist may suggest a sleep study. During a sleep study, vital metrics of your body, such as breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rates, are recorded while you sleep. After confirming the diagnosis of sleep apnea, mild and moderate cases can be managed using nightguards.
Customised nightguards are constructed using an impression of your teeth. After taking the impression, a cast, a positive replica of the jaw curvature and teeth alignment, is fabricated. Then, the plastic material used for nightguard construction is adapted to the cast, and a final trimming and finishing for the margins is performed to prevent soft tissue lacerations. Sleep apnea nightguards are constructed for both the upper and lower teeth.

Caring for your Nightguard

Caring for nightguards is easy; brush them with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, then rinse and leave to dry. Store your nightguards away from high temperatures as heat causes deformation of nightguards.
Never clean your nightguard using mouthwash containing alcohol, as it shortens the lifespan.
Plastic nightguards can last for a few weeks to a few months, according to the severity of clenching, while acrylic ones can last for several years with good care. Consult your dentist for replacement if you notice any signs of distortion.
If you wake up with headaches even after a long night’s sleep, or if you suspect you may have sleep apnea or bruxism, schedule a visit to our dental experts at Dental Care Centre to assess whether you need a nightguard.