If you’re one of the millions of Americans who grind their teeth at night, the remedy for your problem may be simpler than you think. Whether you get it over the counter or through your dentist, a mouth guard for teeth grinding may be all you need to protect your teeth and stop this nasty habit from taking its toll on your mouth.
Getting a mouth guard – also known as a night guard or occlusal guard – is very easy. You can simply talk to your dentist, who will be happy to prescribe a custom-fitted device to wear at night. These mouth guards simply stop your top and bottom teeth from touching, preventing the damaging effects of bruxism.
The only downside is that custom-fitted night guards can cost hundreds of dollars, and this cost is often not covered by dental insurance. Fortunately, there are over the counter options available that often work just as well.
The cheapest mouth guard for teeth grinding is a simple “boil and bite” mouthpiece that you can purchase in most drugstores and major retailers. These products, which resemble the mouthpieces worn by football players and boxers, are made of hard plastic that becomes malleable when boiled in water. Biting down on the mouth guard when it is soft molds it into the shape of your mouth and allows it to fit snugly at night.
If you want something that fits even better, there are companies that will create a custom night guard for you in their lab. You simply buy a kit that allows you to make an impression of your teeth, then mail the impressions in. A few weeks later, your custom-fitted occlusal guard arrives in the mail.
Whether you decide on a custom-fitted mouth guard for snoring, or one purchased over the counter, the important thing is to do something. Nighttime teeth grinding can cause real damage to your teeth and jaw. If you can take a simple step to stop this problem in its tracks, you should do so.