Best Mouthguards For Grinding Teeth
- Ken Mitchell
- Sep 18, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 10
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Best Mouthguards For Grinding Teeth
Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, affects a large portion of the world population. This often occurs during sleep and if left unprotected, bruxism or grinding your teeth can lead to your teeth wearing away, cracks, jaw pain, headaches, dental restorations failing(crowns, implant crowns, fillings) and even in severe cases, hearing loss.
A nightguard is a type of mouthguard worn while sleeping. It helps create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth to reduce the damage caused form grinding.
While the most effective guards are custom-made through your dentist and or the dental laboratory that the dentist uses and mail-in custom nightguards (listed below) through Amazon. Many people start with over-the-counter (OTC) options that offer solid protection at a fraction of the cost.
Speaking From Experience
For years, I had no idea or was grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw.
I would wake up with sore jaw muscles, and dull headaches behind my eyes. It would sometimes get so bad that the headaches developed into migraines. My jaw would even make a cracking sound that I could hear when I was speaking. I self diagnosed my issues and suddenly it all started to make sense.
Bruxism isn't dramatic. It's quiet, repetitive, and destructive over time. And once you understand that you have it, the next question becomes: What do I do about it and what actually helps?
For me, it was easy because I could make myself dental devices or guards because of my profession. I also became more aware of things I was doing with my jaw throughout the day.
For other people it's not so easy. You can search for one perfect solution on the internet or speak to your dentist but ultimately it comes down to trial and error. I can or anyone on the internet for that matter can make recommendations to you but not everyone is the same. The standard rule for a Dentist is to mark items up ten times what they pay. So if the dental laboratory charges $80 to the dentist for a nightguard the dentist will end up charging you $800! Some dentist make the nightguards in their office and will probably charge you $400.
I would suggest starting with an over-the-counter nightguard that I recommend and see if it helps with your symptoms. OTC nightguards are in the boil and bite variety just like sports mouthguards. They are inexpensive and easy to purchase. Some people complain that these types of nightguards are bulky and uncomfortable and make people drool at night, While this may be true for some, it's not true for everyone. The nightguards I have listed below shouldn't make you drool and in my experience, are very comfortable.
You also have the option of a mail-in type of process for getting a custom nightguard. Typically these are dental laboratory owned companies that send you an in-home impression kit. After they receive your impression a cast is made and your custom nightguard is made from that. From my experience this isn't the most accurate way of getting a mold. Outside temperatures (heat and cold) can affect the impressions accuracy. Just make sure they will re-make the nightguard if it doesn't fit. They typically charge $100-200.
At one point, I tried using a thinner sports mouthguard, thinking less bulk would equal more comfort. While this is true, sports mouthguards are designed to absorb impact, not manage long-term clenching forces. The most problematic issue with using a sports mouthguard is that it actually encourages you to bite down harder because of its flexibility or "sponge like" qualities built into the material. Bruxism nightguards and sports mouthguards are totally different. Don't buy a nightguard that is made out of silicone or a soft rubber! If you purchase one that has a more rigid material it will not only last longer it will also aid in making your jaw relax.
Once you find the correct nightguard, you will notice a decrease in morning headaches and less jaw tightness.
Different Types
Upper nightguard: More common, feels familiar if you have ever worn a sports mouthguard
Lower nightguard: To some people, this feels more comfortable and less bulky. This is what I made or myself after my self diagnosis. Currently Amazon doesn't carry this option, but you can get a "custom" nightguard for your bottom teeth, just ask one of the companies listed below.
My Top Recommendations For OTC Nightguards
My Top recommendations for custom mail-in Nightguards
*Keep in mind, the custom nightguards will ship an at home custom impression kit. You may not receive your nightguard for up to three weeks.
Final Thoughts
Living with bruxism is frustrating because most of the time it happens when you're unconscious. You don't feel in control. But finding the right nightguard, intentionally can make a big difference even when the problem seems or feels uncurable.
THE MATERIALS AND INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE HAVE BEEN PREPARED OR ASSEMBLED BY THE MOUTHGUARD REVIEW AND ARE INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADVICE FROM A LICENSED HEALTH-CAR PROFESSIONAL. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY SOLELY ON THIS CONTENT, AND THE MOUTHGUARD REVIEW ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR INACCURACIES. ALWAYS READ LABELS AND DIRECTIONS BEFORE USING A PRODUCT. SOME OF THE INFORMATION MAY BE DATED AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE MOST CURRENT EVENTS. I WROTE THIS ARTICLE MYSELF AND IT EXPRESSES MY OWN OPINIONS.
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