The Longevity of Night Guards
Nightguards are advised by a doctor when a patient is detected to have bruxism. Bruxism is a condition where people unconsciously apply pressure on their teeth by grinding or clenching. They usually happen during the night when a person is asleep and is called sleep bruxism, but it can occur during the day too.
For sleep bruxism, night mouthguards do a great job of protecting the teeth as a person sleeps. But they can be quite expensive. Many people question how long they will last and be good for before investing again in another.
Durability
Nightguards vary in durability. Typically, the average lifespan of a nightguard is between 2 and 10 years, often less if it is the soft type. There are a couple of factors that decide this durability.
- The type of night guard: Different types of mouthguards are made and prescribed according to the severity of bruxism. The three main types are:
- Soft
- Hard
- Hybrid (or dual laminated)
- The thickness of the night guard: the thicker it is, the longer it will last.
- The intensity of teeth grinding
- Age of the person
- How well the night guard is taken care of
First, let’s discuss how the different types of nightguards offer varying levels of durability.
Soft Night Guard
This will last reliably for over six months and is usually advised to patients with mild bruxism. Bruxism is mild when it doesn’t happen regularly every night, and even when it does, it is not intense. As evident in the name, this type of night mouthguard is soft and thus offers far less durability than other, harder options.
Hard Dental Night Guard
This lasts between one to five years. This is prescribed to patients who suffer from severe bruxism. Hard dental night guards are highly durable as it is more than 2mm thick. Hard, acrylic and acrylic-like plastic is used for the guard. This solid plastic makes it so durable and can make the night guard for over five years.
Dual Laminate or Hybrid Night Guard
A hybrid night guard is prescribed for mild to severe bruxism sufferers. It’s hard on the outside and soft on the inside. It is more durable than the soft night guard, but the specific durability depends on the intensity of bruxism.
In Summary
The durability of the night guard also largely depends on how well a person takes care of it. Usually, a custom fit night guard can last longer if maintained well. One of the ways to achieve that is by cleaning it regularly with a natural cleanser. Once a week, soak the night guard in a mixture of water and mouth guard cleaner.
To know the ideal night guard for bruxism for you, contact Markham 7 Dental today!
