Can you wear a bite guard with a retainer?

Your orthodontist may recommend that you wear your night guard and your retainer on alternating schedules. However, you shouldn’t wear these two appliances together. Night guards are typically a little tougher and can be worn every night. But you shouldn’t neglect your retainer in favor of your guard.

Should I wear a night guard if I grind my teeth?

Night guards can protect the teeth from significant damage, and may be a recommended treatment for bruxism. However, those who grind or clench the teeth at night should be screened for sleep apnea before being fitted for a night guard.

How do you stop grinding teeth with retainers?

Wearing a night guard retainer while sleeping will help to prevent the surfaces of the teeth from grinding together. A night guard can also relieve tooth pain, relax the jaw muscles and even reduce headaches that result from bruxism.

Can wearing a mouthguard make bruxism worse?

Another problem with wearing night guards is that many people buy mass-produced, “one-size-fits-all” night guards sold at Walmart or on Amazon. Mouth arches and teeth size can be so varied that it is truly impossible for one size to fit all.

Can night guards 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 do I clench my teeth with Invisalign?

Invisalign clear aligners actually create a cushion between your teeth, much like a night or bite guard would. Wearing your aligners for at least 20 hours a day (including during sleep), helps to protect your teeth from the affects of grinding.

Can a night guard damage your teeth?

Not wearing your teeth night guard every night will still result in damaged teeth only at a much slower pace. You may also experience the side effects of bruxism if you are not diligent in wearing your teeth night guards, especially when going to bed.

Can a night guard make TMJ worse?

While most night guards can prevent enamel wear by avoiding direct teeth contact, it does not prevent grinding and clenching. In some cases, night guards actually increase the activity of the muscles that clench and this makes TMJ pain worse.

Is it OK to grind teeth with Invisalign?

Teeth Grinding & Invisalign Absolutely! Invisalign clear aligners actually create a cushion between your teeth, much like a night or bite guard would. Wearing your aligners for at least 20 hours a day (including during sleep), helps to protect your teeth from the affects of grinding.

Do I need a retainer if I have a night guard?

Whether custom-fit or over-the-counter, most night guards do not fit snugly enough to double as a retainer. However, you typically only wear a night guard on your upper teeth or bottom teeth. So if you need a retainer on your top and bottom teeth, you may still need a retainer for the teeth that don’t have a night guard.

Can a retainer stop teeth grinding?

If you have a retainer made of hard plastic that fully covers your upper or lower teeth, it might provide some protection and relief for minor tooth grinding and clenching, but retainers are not designed to take the beating, your teeth put on them when you grind your teeth at night and therefore it would not be the best solution.

Can I stop grinding my teeth with a night guard?

If your bruxism is caused by stress, you might try relaxation methods such as yoga or deep breathing to stop grinding your teeth. If you do try to naturally stop, be sure to continue to wear your night guard until your dentist has confirmed that you have stopped grinding your teeth and it is safe to discontinue using a night guard.

Is a mouth guard the same as a retainer?

Although retainers and night guards might look similar to the untrained eye, they are not the same thing and each type of mouth guard has its own unique purpose. Retainers are designed to help teeth stay in place while night guards are designed to protect teeth.