Should I Wear a Dental Night Guard for Lower Teeth?

Lower Teeth Dental Night Guard Uses, Function & Effectiveness

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Lara Coseo, (DDS, FAGD)

Article updated and reviewed for accuracy on 02/23/22

Is a Night Guard for Lower Teeth Better Than Upper Night Guards?

Do you often grind your teeth when you sleep at night? A quick visit to the dentist will determine if you have nocturnal bruxism. Bruxism is a condition where constant grinding wears away your teeth’s enamel and causes other problems, such as waking up with headaches, jaw pain and cracked teeth.

Dental Night Guard for Lower Teeth

“Is a night guard for lower or bottom teeth better than an upper teeth night guard?

Your dentist may prescribe a night guard in order to prevent further teeth damage. Many dentists will naturally be inclined to make you a night guard to be worn for your upper teeth. They may have a good reason why – but sometimes it’s more out of habit as night guards are most commonly made for upper teeth. Patients may not know they have an option to have a lower night guard made. Some people find the lower teeth guard to be far more comfortable and tolerable.

How does a night guard work?

Either choice works by acting as a type of cushion or barrier between your upper and lower teeth. Instead of grinding directly against one another, the night guard ensures the teeth do not make contact with each another, preventing further damage.

How do i know if a bottom guard is right for me?

Ask your dentist if a lower night guard may be an option for you. Your dentist will know which type is best suited for your unique needs.It may be that you will be happier with a mouth guard for the bottom teeth.

But which one works best? An upper night guard or a night guard for lower teeth?

Benefits Of Wearing a Night Guard For Lower Teeth

• Reduced Gagging Reflex
  Sensitive gag reflex: Some upper night guard users take out their night guard because they find themselves feeling the need to gag which makes it hard to sleep. In these cases, a mouth guard for bottom teeth may reduce the susceptibility to invoking the gag reflex.
• Better Tolerance
• A lot of users have reported that wearing a lower night guard is more comfortable for them. Dentists agree that a lower guard can be better tolerated and increases the ease of wear for some of their patients.
• Better for the tongue Sometimes the tongue gets in the habit of feeling the upper night guard constantly, which leads to irritation, but a lower guard can make the tongue adapt better.

The Differences Between An Upper And Lower Night Guard

Almost all night guards are made from materials such as vinyl, acrylic, rubber or acetate. You should check and make sure that the dental appliance you’re getting is latex, silicone and BPA-free. A good night guard is one that fits perfectly and doesn’t slip. It’s better to have a night guard made in a professional lab as opposed to buying one in a store.

Can I wear an upper and a lower night guard at the same time?

Night guards for the upper and lower teeth can be made to address the grinding problem, but wearing both an upper and lower night guard at the same time is typically not recommended.
In common bruxism cases, either night guard (upper or lower) will work the same way and therefore provide identical results.

Upper night guard popularity

The reason why upper night guards are a popular option is because night guards were originally created for the upper teeth. Some dentists and labs tend to be slow to adapt to the usage and acceptance of lower night guards (also called bottom mouth guards) across the industry by habit. Today, many dentists are recommending the use of lower night guards for the benefits they provide to the wearer.

Overall, the design of your night guard will depend on several personal factors, such as your bite, comfort level and your dentist’s preference, among others. Traditionally, upper guards may be recommended due to the fact that they can’t be as easily removed compared to lower arches.

Why wear a lower teeth night guard?

Lower guards are recommended because they are sometimes more comfortable and patients with a gag reflex may adapt to wearing them more easily. More importantly, the night guard should fit your teeth arches just right – shielding your teeth and jaw from the harmful effects of unconscious teeth grinding at night. The best kind of night guard should cover all your teeth and not effect your natural bite.
The success of a bottom or top mouth guard first depends on your ability to wear it.

At Sentinel Mouthguards®, we realize that what works for you may not work for another individual. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee includes changing material type, thickness and/or switching teeth arches to find which guard works best for you. You read that right! If you purchase your Sentinel Night Guard and find that it is not working for you, we will work with you to explore which night guard may be best suited for your unique needs. That’s the Sentinel guarantee!