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If You Grind Your Teeth, Dentists Say These OTC Mouthguards Really Work

Date


If
you’ve
been
waking
up
with
a
sore
jaw
and
your
dentist
has
provided
gentle
feedback
on
the
state
of
your

teeth

(read:
you’ve
been

grinding
them

to
a
pulp!),
it
might
be
time
to
talk
to
look
into
the
right
over-the-counter
(OTC)
mouthguard
to
save
your
smile

and
sanity.

While
the
experts
we
consulted
agree
OTC
options
don’t
replace
professional-grade,
custom
mouthguards
made
from
the
exact
impressions
of
your
teeth,
they
do
serve
a
purpose.

“As
a
dentist,
I
typically
do
not
recommend
OTC
mouthguards
for
patients
unless
they
are
for
very
short-term
use,”
said


Dr.
Anjali
Rajpal
,
a
cosmetic
dentist
and
owner
of


Beverly
Hills
Dental
Arts
.
“For
those
with
jaw
pain,
significant
grinding
or
sleep
issues,
an
OTC
mouthguard
may
help
very
temporarily,
but
a
custom
nightguard
designed
by
a
dentist
is
the
safer
long-term
option.”

According
to
Dr.
Sandip
Sachar,
a
New
York
City-based
dentist
and
owner
of


Sachar
Dental
,
when
shopping
for
an
OTC
mouthguard,
there
are
three
important
factors
worth
considering.


Fit

“An
OTC
mouthguard
should
fit
comfortably
and
securely
without
slipping
or
falling
out,”
Sachar
said.
“You
should
not
have
to
keep
your
teeth
in
a
biting
position
to
hold
the
guard
in
place.”
According
to
Rajpal,
the
guard
should
fit
snugly
without
causing
jaw
strain,
gagging
or
breathing
interference.
Adequate
thickness
is
important
for
protection,
but
it
should
not
feel
overly
bulky
or
uncomfortable,
she
added.


Material

According
to
Sachar,
the
mouthguard’s
material
should
create
a
stable
and
even-biting
surface
that’s
not
too
soft.
“[One]
that
is
too
soft
may
feel
comfortable,
but
it
can
trigger
the
urge
to
clench
more,
thereby
causing
jaw
pain
or
making
existing
temporomandibular
disorder
(TMD)
symptoms
worse,”
she
said.
“I
always
tell
my
patients
to
look
for
mouthguards
made
from
materials
that
are
BPA-free
and
medical-grade
so
that
they
are
durable
enough
to
withstand
clenching
forces,
yet
slim
enough
to
be
comfortable.”

Sachar
explained
OTC
mouthguards
use
firmer
outer
layers
or
internal
bite
pads
that
resist
compression,
which
can
help
reduce
the
instinct
to
clench
teeth
harder,
a
common
issue
with
very
soft
mouthguards.
“They
are
also
slimmer
and
easier
to
tolerate,”
she
said.


Intended
use

Before
investing
in
an
OTC
mouthguard,
Sachar
recommends
paying
attention
to
whether
the
mouthguard
is
made
for
upper
or
lower
teeth.

“OTC
mouthguards
can
be
a
great
temporary
solution
as
they
can
help
protect
teeth
from
wear
and
reduce
damage
from
grinding,
but
they
are
not
replacements
for
a
professionally-made
custom
appliance,”
Sachar
said.
She
cautions
patients
to
monitor
for
the
likes
of
jaw
pain,
headaches
and
gum
irritation
with
OTC
mouthguard
use,
and
if
these
symptoms
occur
or
worsen,
“a
professional
dental
evaluation
is
recommended
and
a
custom
mouthguard
may
need
to
be
fabricated.”


The
experts
consulted
for
this
story
do
not
necessarily
endorse
the
products
ahead
unless
otherwise
noted.


1.

DenTek

A
low-profile
mouthguard
for
maximum
comfort

These
mouthguards

are
available
as
a
BPA-free
option,
and
that’s
a
big
plus,”
said
Sachar.
“They
provide
adequate
cushioning
and
protection
against
tooth
wear
without
being
too
bulky,
making
them
fairly
comfortable.”

Sachar
said
she
recommends
these
for
light
to
moderate
grinders
or
clenchers
and
noted
that
certain
DenTek
models
are
boil-and-bite,
while
others
are
ready-to-wear,
like
this
top-rated
option.
They
are
complete
with
rear
bite
pads
and
an
adjustable
band
for
a
custom-like
feel.


Promising
review
:
“I
have
purchased
several
of
these
over
the
years.
I
cannot
sleep
without
it.
It
costs
a
fraction
of
the
price
of
the
one
that
my
dentist
made
for
me
for
$200
and
it
is
a
LOT
more
comfortable.
The
custom
one
made
by
my
dentist
lasted
a
little
longer,
for
sure,
but
I
don’t
mind
buying
these
with
some
frequency.
They
last
me
6
to
8
months
and
you
get
2
pairs,
I
keep
one
at
home
and
one
in
my
travel
bag.
I
tried
MANY
other
brands
of
disposable
guards,
but
this
is
the
one
that
fits
me
the
best
and
it’s
the
most
comfortable.”


Gian


2.

DenTek

A
professional-grade
boil-and-bite
mouthguard

Rajpal
said
mouthguards
like

DenTek
Professional-Fit

offer
a
“boil-and-bite
fit
that
can
mold
to
your
bite
for
better
coverage
and
cushioning
against
grinding.”
A
firm
and
protective
bottom
layer
protects
the
teeth
while
a
soft
top
layer
creates
contouring
comfort
for
front
and
back
teeth
while
you
sleep.


Promising
review
:
“I
am
extremely
happy
with
the
DenTek
Professional-Fit
Dental
Guard.
I’ve
been
dealing
with
nighttime
teeth
grinding
for
a
long
time,
and
this
mouthguard
has
truly
made
a
difference.
The
fitting
process
was
simple
and
straightforward.
I
appreciated
that
it
allows
you
to
customize
the
fit
at
home,
and
once
molded,
it
felt
secure
and
comfortable
in
my
mouth.
After
using
it
for
several
nights,
I
noticed
a
huge
improvement.
I
wake
up
without
jaw
pain,
headaches,
or
tooth
sensitivity
that
I
used
to
experience
regularly.
It
stays
in
place
all
night
and
doesn’t
feel
bulky
or
irritating,
which
was
a
big
concern
for
me.
I
was
also
impressed
by
the
quality

it
feels
durable
and
well-made,
especially
for
the
price.”


Tamara
Gardener


3.

Plackers

A
ready-to-wear
mouthguard
to
help
with
grinding

Sachar
is
also
a
fan
of
these
disposable

BPA-free
mouthguards

because
“they’re
ready
to
use
straight
out
of
the
package,
which
appeals
to
people
who
don’t
want
the
extra
step
of
boiling
or
molding.”

She
noted
that
they
are
slim
in
design
and
not
bulky,
making
them
fairly
comfortable,
as
well
as
being
convenient
and
disposable,
which
works
well
for
travel
or
occasional
use.
But
because
they’re
pre-formed,
fit
and
retention
can
vary
from
patient
to
patient.
While
Rajpal
is
also
a
big
fan
of
Plackers,
she
said
they
aren’t
as
durable
as
boil-and-bite
types.


Promising
review
:
“These
were
a
life
changer
for
me
when
I
discovered
them.
I
used
to
only
wear
them
after
I
had
a
bad
night,
but
I’m
so
used
to
them
now
I
put
one
in
when
I’m
reading
or
watching
tv
because
I
clench
as
well.
I
could
never
keep
in
big
custom
night
guards,
but
these
are
perfect
&
comfortable
for
me
up
or
down.
I
reuse
them
until
they
get
flat
&
distorted,
so
the
16
pack
lasts
me
a
year
or
so
for
a
great
value.”


Mr6topher


4.

The
Doctor’s

A
dentist-designed
mouthguard


Our
pick:

This

dentist-designed
mouthguard

works
hard
overnight
so
you
don’t
have
to.
Featuring
a
BPA-free
moldable
design,
the
guard
offers
a
flexible
and
comfortable
fit
in
a
shock-absorbing
two-layer
material
to
keep
your
smile
safe
as
you
sleep.


Promising
review
:
“These
are
easy
to
mold
and
if
you
goof
up
on
that,
the
company
will
send
you
a
coupon
for
a
free
replacement.
They
last
me
about
two
years
and
I’m
a
heavy
grinder.
My
dental
office
wants
$350
to
make
a
custom
night
guard,
it’s
not
permanent,
and
it’s
not
covered
by
insurance.
Amazon
has
the
best
price
and
I
can
buy
LOTS
of
these
for
$350!”


C.D.


5.

Oral-B

A
minty
microwavable
mouthguard
for
fresh
breath

Both
Rajpal
and
Sachar
recommend

Oral-B’s
mouthguards

that
allow
for
a
more
customizable
fit.
Sachar
specified
that
the
snug
fit
helps
keep
the
mouthguard
in
place
all
night.
“Also,
the
materials
used
tend
to
be
firmer
thermoplastics,
which
can
offer
stronger
protection
for
people
with
moderate
grinding
or
heavier
clenching,”
she
said.
Simply
pop
it
in
the
microwave
for
three
minutes
to
create
your
customized
impression,
and
enjoy
the
addition
of
Scope
for
a
minty-fresh,
clean
feel.


Promising
review
:
“Originally,
I
bought
this
at
a
pharmacy
while
traveling.
I
grind
my
teeth
and
left
my
mouthguard
at
home.
This
was
perfect
because
you
don’t
need
to
boil
water
to
mold
it,
you
can
do
it
in
a
microwave.
Hotels
usually
have
a
microwave,
so
I
got
this.
I
have
been
buying
them
on

Amazon

ever
since.
I
really
like
this
particular
mouthguard
for
a
couple
of
reasons.
Mostly,
it’s
the
low
profile
it
has.
I
had
a
much
larger
mouthguard
before
and
it
shredded
my
gums.
This
doesn’t
come
up
as
high
and
it
rests
just
below
your
gum
line.
It’s
very
comfortable
with
a
great
fit
that’s
not
bulky.
The
second
thing
I
like
about
it
is
that
only
one
gets
molded
to
your
teeth.
The
bottom
side
stays
flat.
It
might
seem
like
a
negative,
but
if
you’re
wearing
this
for
sleep
and
not
sports,
it
is
a
much
better
fit
as
your
teeth
don’t
need
to
line
up
perfectly.”


Horatio
Crunch


6.

SmartGuard

A
mouthguard
with
a
front
tooth
design


Our
pick:

If
you’re
looking
to
coat
your
teeth
in
as
little
material
as
possible,
try
this
minimalist

BPA-free
mouthguard

that
sits
over
your
top
front
teeth
to
prevent
your
back
teeth
from
making
contact.
It
molds
to
the
unique
arch
of
your
two
front
teeth
for
a
level
of
comfort
that
won’t
interfere
with
your
sleep,
and
it’s
said
to
reduce
grinding
for
up
to
three
years.
The
set
comes
with
two
mouthguards
and
a
storage
case
for
easy
transport.


Promising
review
:
“I
have
ground
my
teeth
at
night
for
at
least
40
years,
probably
longer.
Over
time
I
tried
all
types
and
found
that
full
mouthguards
still
did
not
prevent
clenching
and
grinding
that
lead
to
morning
discomfort
and
pain.
So
I
tried
this
item,
and
after
almost
a
month
have
been
happily
surprised
at
the
results.
Yes,
it
is
slightly
thicker
than
many
guards
on
the
market,
but
it
has
to
be
in
order
to
provide
the
space
necessary
so
the
back
teeth
do
not
touch
overnight,
and
I
do
not
find
this
design
uncomfortable.
Nor
did
I
have
any
trouble
fitting
the
guard
using
the
provided
instructions.
All
in
all,
if
you
still
wake
with
sore
teeth
and
jaw
after
sleeping
with
a
full
mouthguard,
give
this
product
a
try.”


Robert
H.



The
original
version
of
this
story
was
published
on
HuffPost
at
an
earlier
date.

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