An interesting look back at ancient history take at on dental care. Did you know the Egyptians were making toothpaste from ox hooves? Check out more interesting facts about historical oral care.

The grinding and clenching of our teeth is an intermittent involuntary movement of our Masseter muscles.  With a reformable night guard that has a smooth outer plastic shell lined with a soft reformable plastic liner these patterns will revel themselves as scratches or indentation in the smooth outer plastic shell.

This is how to  fit a reformable night guard and determine for yourself if you are grinding  and clenching your teeth at night.

 

After purchasing a Dr. Dembro’s night guard take a look at the smooth, hard outer surface this is where you will notice the grind or clenching marks.  The reformable night guard will be fitted to the upper teeth, this gives the lower jaw and teeth a good foot print to clench and grind against . When we grind our teeth the upper jaw stays still and the lower jaw does all the movement and work.  As the lower moves or clenches these scratches and indentation’s will be pressed into the smooth outer shell of the night guard.

Second fit the night guard by placing it in boiling water for one minute or until the reformable material becomes clear.  The reformable material will soften around 165 degrees Fahrenheit  The smooth outer shell will not soften.  Lightly place the night guard against the upper teeth and bite softly for 30 seconds, as you are biting form the edges of the soft reformable material with you finger to the outside  of your teeth.  After 30 seconds gently take the night guard out and place it in cold water for 2 minutes, the reformable material will turn back to it’s original color.  Get the night guard to fit so you cannot dislodge it with your tongue.  If you can dislodge it with your tongue place the night guard back into boiling water, re soften and reform the material and try again.  A good-fit will allow you to wear the night guard all night.

Next wear the night guard every night all night for one week.  As you examine the night guard you will notice the smooth outer plastic shell having dull markings of the lower teeth either pressed into, pressed from side to side, pressed from front to back or all three.  These are the patterns of tooth  grinding you are  looking for. Now you know if you are grinding and clenching your teeth.  The more you wear our diagnostic night guard the more information it will give  you.  Over time if you are grinding and clenching you will put 2 and 2 together and relate the intensity of these scratches and indention’s to what is happening in your life.  You will come to know when you have to wear the night guard and when you don’t.  The involuntary movement of the masseter muscle  will become predictable allowing you to maintain the health and integrity of you teeth and gums.