Your dental health and well-being: the Nightguard.

The Nightguard is more than just a dental device—it’s an investment in your oral health and overall well-being. By protecting your teeth from damage, relieving pain, and promoting better sleep, it can transform the way you feel every day.

If you suspect you have bruxism or are experiencing jaw pain, don’t wait. Speak to our team at South Downs Dental Care about the benefits of the Nightguard and take the first step toward a healthier, more comfortable life.

The Benefits of the Nightguard: Protecting Your Teeth and Health

Do you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or sore teeth? These could be signs of bruxism, the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep. Left untreated, this condition can lead to serious dental issues such as tooth wear, fractures, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. One proven solution to protect your teeth and alleviate symptoms is a hard night guard.

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of hard night guards and how they can significantly improve your dental health and overall quality of life.

What Are Hard Night Guards?

A hard night guard, also known as an occlusal splint, is a custom-fitted dental device typically made from durable acrylic or plastic material. Unlike soft night guards, which are flexible and prone to wear, hard night guards are rigid and designed to withstand the heavy forces of grinding and clenching.

Benefits of Hard Night Guards

1. Prevents Tooth Damage

Bruxism can cause excessive wear on the enamel, cracks, or even fractures in your teeth. Hard night guards act as a protective barrier, absorbing the pressure and preventing direct contact between upper and lower teeth. This helps to preserve your natural teeth and avoid costly dental procedures such as crowns or veneers.

2. Relieves Jaw and Facial Pain

Grinding and clenching put immense strain on your jaw muscles, often leading to pain in the jaw, face, and even neck. A hard night guard redistributes this force, allowing your jaw muscles to relax. Many users report significant relief from morning soreness and headaches after consistent use.

3. Reduces the Risk of TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing discomfort and functional problems. Hard night guards help maintain proper jaw alignment during sleep, reducing the risk of TMDs or alleviating existing symptoms.

4. Promotes Better Sleep

The discomfort and tension caused by bruxism can disrupt sleep, leaving you feeling fatigued and irritable. By reducing grinding and clenching, a hard night guard contributes to a more restful and uninterrupted night’s sleep.

5. Durability and Longevity

Hard night guards are built to last. While soft guards may wear out quickly, hard guards are resistant to the pressure of grinding. Their durability makes them a cost-effective choice over time, as they require less frequent replacement.

6. Custom Fit for Comfort

Unlike over-the-counter options, hard night guards are custom-made by dental professionals to fit the unique shape of your teeth and bite. This ensures maximum comfort, better protection, and a secure fit that stays in place throughout the night.

Who Should Use a Hard Night Guard?

Hard night guards are especially beneficial for:

• Individuals with moderate to severe bruxism.

• Those with TMJ disorders or jaw pain.

• People who experience frequent dental damage from grinding.

• Anyone looking for a long-term solution to protect their teeth.

If you’re unsure whether a hard night guard is right for you, consult with your dentist. They can assess your specific needs and recommend the best type of night guard.

Caring for Your Hard Night Guard

To maximize the lifespan and effectiveness of your night guard:

• Rinse it thoroughly after each use.

• Clean it with a toothbrush and mild soap (avoid harsh chemicals).

• Store it in a ventilated case to prevent bacterial buildup.

• Schedule regular dental check-ups to ensure the guard is functioning correctly.

Hills of the South

“Hills of the South” was a commission painted by local artist Hannah Rollings of the South Downs landscape for the enjoyment of our patients in the South Downs Dental Care waiting room .

Inspired by the poem “The South Country” by Hilaire Belloc.

When I am living in the Midlands
That are sodden and unkind,
I light my lamp in the evening:
My work is left behind;
And the great hills of the South Country
Come back into my mind.

The great hills of the South Country
They stand along the sea;
And it's there walking in the high woods
That I could wish to be,
And the men that were boys when I was a boy
Walking along with me.

The men that live in North England
I saw them for a day:
Their hearts are set upon the waste fells,
Their skies are fast and grey;
From their castle-walls a man may see
The mountains far away.

The men that live in West England
They see the Severn strong,
A-rolling on rough water brown
Light aspen leaves along.
They have the secret of the Rocks,
And the oldest kind of song.

But the men that live in the South Country
Are the kindest and most wise,
They get their laughter from the loud surf,
And the faith in their happy eyes
Comes surely from our Sister the Spring
When over the sea she flies;
The violets suddenly bloom at her feet,
She blesses us with surprise.

I never get between the pines
But I smell the Sussex air;
Nor I never come on a belt of sand
But my home is there.
And along the sky the line of the Downs
So noble and so bare.

A lost thing could I never find,
Nor a broken thing mend:
And I fear I shall be all alone
When I get towards the end.
Who will there be to comfort me
Or who will be my friend?

I will gather and carefully make my friends
Of the men of the Sussex Weald;
They watch the stars from silent folds,
They stiffly plough the field.
By them and the God of the South Country
My poor soul shall be healed.

If I ever become a rich man,
Or if ever I grow to be old,
I will build a house with deep thatch
To shelter me from the cold,
And there shall the Sussex songs be sung
And the story of Sussex told.

I will hold my house in the high wood
Within a walk of the sea,
And the men that were boys when I was a boy
Shall sit and drink with me.

Single Tooth Dental Implant

We will cover single tooth implants in this blog although the processes are similar with multiple implants.

If you’ve had a tooth extracted or have a tooth missing and you would like it replacing there are a number of options to consider first, as a missing single tooth can be replaced with a removable denture, a bridge or a dental implant.

Single tooth removable dentures can be relatively inconspicuous and made from either a flexible plastic which grips the adjacent teeth, a hard acrylic or a cast metal base.

Single tooth bridges require preparation of the adjacent tooth/teeth in order to provide sufficient clearance for the bridge to be bonded in position. Typically all ceramic bridges are the treatment of choice as less preparation of the adjacent tooth/teeth is necessary. Alternative materials are porcelain fused to metal[traditional method], or gold.

If you are still set on a dental implant then we need to check whether you have sufficient bone to accept an implant. To assess your bone volume involves taking a 3D x-ray scan[CBCT] and then reviewing and reporting on your scan.

If you have sufficient bone then a dental implant can be placed. If you have insufficient bone volume then often bone augmentation is possible. Bone augmentation or often known as bone grafting is the application of particles to the area in deficit. The graft material of choice at South Downs Dental Care is an inorganic matrix that your body turns over into your own bone. Animal derived products are avoided at South Downs Dental Care.

Dental implants are divided into three basic components, the actual implant that goes into your bone, the post that is attached to that implant and the final crown that is cemented onto the post or attached directly onto the implant.

To place the implant, your gum is anesthetised[numbed] with a local anaesthetic and tested to ensure you cannot detect any sensation. You may of course feel pressure and hear noise so earphones or earbuds are a good idea to listen to some music or a podcast. Your bone is carefully prepared for the length and diameter of the chosen implant. The implant is then rotated into position, a cover cap and suture placed. The implant has screw threads which provide primary stability of the implant and your gum is then left to heal . Sutures are generally removed at 5 days.

Typically over 6-12 weeks, your implant integrates with your bone and your bone becomes tightly apposed to the implant surface. This integration provides long term stability of your implant. It is usual to leave the implant as is for 3-6 months before proceeding to the next phase.

Once your implant integration has taken place the area is anaesthetised to access the top of your implant. Depending on the situation and location a healing cap may be placed to shape your gum or a post and provisional crown added. Once the gum shape has matured, impressions are taken for your implant crown which is then secured in place 3 weeks later.

Your bite is carefully checked to ensure that no excessive forces are placed on your implant crown. Your implant is now complete and should feel and look like a natural tooth.

Your implant will need to be checked annually.

Fees for a dental implant are typically £3550 divided into stages of pre-operative implant assessment[£150], CBCT scan and scan report[£300], implant placement[£1200], implant exposure and healing cap[£400], abutment and provisional crown [£300] and final abutment/crown[£1200]. Fees may vary depending on your particular situation e.g. if bone augmentation is necessary.