A lot of people face teeth grinding or clenching, mostly at night and do not even notice that condition. This will lead to serious issues like severe damage to teeth and cause pain in the jaw and head. However, when you use Nightguard, they are the most effective way to protect your teeth from damage and reduce irritation. Many people get confused while selecting from options like hard night guards and soft night guards.
When we compare hard night guards vs soft night guards, it all depends on your needs. For your information, hard nightguards are more durable and best for severe teeth grinding. While the soft nightguards are more relaxing, they are not suggested for severe clenching or grinding. Understanding the difference between them will help you to improve your oral health.
This article will help you to learn about the features, benefits, and drawbacks of hard and soft night guards. From this information, you can make a choice about which one is best for your condition.
Understanding the Need for a Night Guard
Nowadays, there are a lot of people who are facing dental diseases like teeth grinding or bruxism. These common diseases disturb your sleep and affect your teeth and jaw. In this condition, you might have to suffer from jaw pain, headaches, or worn-down teeth. For getting out of this condition, the perfect solution that works effectively is using a night guard. That protects your teeth from different dental issues and makes your sleep peaceful.
Hard Night Guard vs. Soft Night Guard
A hard night guard and a soft night guard are both good solutions for dental issues, and both have different features. Choosing between them depends on your needs and the stage of your dental issues, such as teeth grinding or clenching. Usually, the Hard Night Guards are recommended to those who are suffering through the most severe stages. In this situation, this night guard provides them with long-term protection against bruxism. On the other hand, soft nightguards are usually for those who want comfort and the best fit while using. In short, both of them provide you with the best results according to their features and your preferences.
|
Feature |
Hard Night Guard |
Soft Night Guard |
|
Material |
Made of rigid acrylic or similar durable materials. |
Made of soft, flexible materials like EVA or silicone. |
|
Best For |
Severe teeth grinding and heavy bruxism. |
Light to moderate teeth clenching or grinding. |
|
Durability |
Highly durable; resistant to wear and tear. |
Less durable; can wear out faster with heavy grinding. |
|
Comfort Level |
Initially uncomfortable but adjusts over time. |
More comfortable and easier to adapt to immediately. |
|
Protection Level |
Offers strong protection against severe grinding forces. |
Provides gentle protection for less intense clenching. |
|
Customization |
Typically custom-made for a precise fit. |
Can be custom-made or over-the-counter. |
|
Cost |
More expensive due to higher durability and customization. |
More affordable, especially for non-custom options. |
|
Effect on Alignment |
Helps maintain teeth alignment with a stable fit. |
Less impact on alignment due to flexibility. |
|
Ease of Cleaning |
Requires more maintenance to avoid bacteria buildup. |
Easier to clean due to its softer material. |
|
Lifespan |
Long-lasting, often several years with proper care. |
Shorter lifespan, typically replaced more frequently. |
Hard Night Guards
For those people who grind their teeth heavily or suffer from severe bruxism, which totally disturbs their sleep and also causes difficulties in daily activities, hard night guards are the perfect option. These are specially designed for such patients. They are made with rigid acrylic, which makes them best for long-term use and provides the best protection against bruxism. They are custom fit for the exact fit and placed between the upper and lower teeth.
Pros:
- They are famous and most-used nightguards due to their durability and long-term protection.
- They provide you with the best results and work effectively against severe teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
- In addition, they are also helpful for your teeth alignment. They take your teeth to the perfect position from time to time.
Cons:
- You might feel uncomfortable while using them because they are custom-fit.
- As they are long-lasting, they might be priced higher than soft nightguards.
- You have to wash them daily, so they work properly and avoid bacteria buildup.
Soft Night Guards
Soft nightguards stand to be the top option for those who want full comfort and flexibility while using nightguards. It is specially made with softer materials that make it flexible, ensuring your comfort. They fit properly and protect your teeth from lighter bruxism. Mostly, it is recommended for those who have just started using night guards.
Pros:
- They provide you with a fully comfortable experience by fixing well according to your teeth' posture due to their flexibility.
- They provide you with the best results at an affordable price as compared to hard-night guards.
- They are popular for their proper fixing, which keeps you feeling better while using them and makes your sleep peaceful.
Cons:
- They are for short-term use because they are less durable, so they are only for beginners.
- They are good options only for those who are facing lighter dental issues. It is not good for severe grinding or clenching.
- You have to use a new one after some time because they are for short-term usage.
Hybrid Night Guards: The Best of Both Worlds?
For those who want all the features that are present on hard night guards and soft night guards in the same product, the hybrid night guards are the perfect product. It is the combination of both of them. These night guards usually offer you a hard outer layer that provides you protection against severe bruxism and a soft inner layer that provides you comfort.
Benefits of Hybrid Night Guards:
- Versatility: It provides you with the best protection, whether you are facing severe grinding or normal.
- Comfort and Protection: As you can see, its inner layer is soft, so it also provides you comfort and long-lasting durability.
- Custom Fit: They are custom-fit, which ensures that they fit properly and provide you with the best protection.
Drawbacks of Hybrid Night Guards:
- Cost: They provide double-type features, so they are available at a higher price than the single-material guard.
- Maintenance: Requires diligent cleaning to maintain hygiene.
FAQs
Should night guard be hard or soft?
There are both harder and softer ones available; it's your preference to choose which one is best for you. Hard night guards are good for those who face higher-stage bruxism, and soft night guards are good for those who are at the early stage.
What is the difference between hard and soft occlusal splints?
Usually, hard splints are made of hard material that provides durability and the best protection against severe bruxism, and soft splints are made of flexible material, providing you comfort and being good for mild grinding.
What type of night guard is best for grinding?
If you are suffering from severe grinding, the perfect option that provides you with the best results is a hard night guard, which is durable and for long-term use. If you are facing just normal grinding or are at the beginner stage, then a soft night guard is the best option for you, as it is flexible and ensures your comfort.
What is the most preferred mouthguard type?
The most recommended option available is custom-made night guards. They provide you the best experience because they fit well and provide you the maximum protection against bruxism, and you feel fully comfortable when used. Through this, you can make your sleep fully peaceful.
What are the disadvantages of night guards?
The night guards are useful, but there are also some disadvantages, such as that they require regular cleaning, you might feel uncomfortable while using them, and the possibility of replacement over time.
Conclusion
Teeth grinding and clenching are the most common issues nowadays, and it's a very irritating and uncomfortable condition that fully disturbs your night's sleep. You might also have jaw pain or headache. But you can get out of these issues by using night guards. They provide you protection against teeth grinding and clenching. You can choose between a hard night guard and a soft night guard. Both of them offer you their own best features. In this article, you can see all the detailed differences between both of them, which will help you to choose the best one that fits your needs. If you want the features of both of them, then you can also get hybrid night guards, which offer you all these features in the same product. Choosing the right one helps you to get out of these common dental problems easily.