Do you need a Nightguard? All about Nightguards
Has your dentist recommended you get a nightguard? Mine certainly has. But when they gave me the estimate for the price, I was shocked! It was around a thousand dollars. I told them I’d do some research first and left. I brought this up to some friends, and they all had similar stories! Some even ended up buying the nightguard for prices ranging from $400-$2,000!
So why are dentists recommending nightguards to everyone? And how do you know that you actually fit the criteria to need one?
What does a Nightguard do?
Nightguards prevent damage to your teeth by stopping clenching and teeth grinding, something that can happen a lot in your sleep without your knowledge. The term for this behavior is “Bruxism” and often happens when people are under a lot of stress.
This can be harmful to your teeth in a very permanent way. Grinding strips the enamel on your teeth and clenching can lead to headaches and pain throughout the jaw, face, and neck.
Nightguards do not prevent clenching or grinding. They do, however, prevent your teeth from being damaged if you do clench or grind.
Why are they so Expensive?
Nightguards come in two forms: custom and over the counter (OTC). OTC nightguards are easy to purchase online or at pharmacies, they are usually thick and less comfortable than custom nightguards. They are not nearly as expensive, but are liable to fall out of your mouth during the night.
Custom nightguards are expensive because they need to take an impression of your teeth to then mold your nightguard at a lab. They usually fit snugly into your mouth and (while not extremely comfortable) are more comfortable than OTC nightguards. But results may vary depending on the material and the molding process.
The argument that dentists will make is that a nightguard is cheaper than veneers, root canals, or other dentistry, which might be true, depending on your insurance.
The main reason nightguards are so expensive is because they are rarely covered. That is changing though! SDPEBA’s MetLife Dental PPO plan has now expanded to include nightguards (60% coinsurance for in-network), and other plans might be changing too. If your plan does offer nightguard coverage, the price might drop significantly. But it really varies based on your dentist, the lab they use, and the material of the nightguard.
Do I need a Nightguard?
If you’re on the fence about the nightguard you really should speak with your dentist about it. If they see signs of clenching or grinding your teeth, then it really is something you should consider. But if they just are offering it as a precaution, there might be better options for you.
You can always try an OTC nightguard first and then move on to the special kind. Just be sure to discuss this with your dentist!
Managing Bruxism without a Nightguard
While destressing and doing your best to relax might be a good way to stop clenching/grinding, you often don’t know that you’re doing it since… well, you’re asleep!
If you do have muscle pain in your jaw, cheek, or neck; wake up with headaches, or have caught yourself grinding your teeth, it might be worth looking into your habits and seeing if there’s something you can do to lessen the stress or at least manage it.
Other possible links to bruxism include smoking, caffeine, and certain disorders. Managing these can help, but also might lead to increased stress. Because of this we highly recommend you speak with a doctor before making any decisions.