Bruxism or teeth grinding usually occurs when you are awake and is caused by clenched muscles on the jaws. However, treating sleep bruxism is quite hard since most people are not even aware of the problem. This issue is quite common because the teeth show some wearing pattern due to consistent grinding.
Bruxism is only treated when your partner notices the grinding sound or when seeking treatment for different symptoms such as headaches, worn-out teeth, jaw and facial pain. Most people thought that teeth grinding was typically as a result of teeth and jaw misalignment which is not the case. Human beings are known to be typical grinders although there are certain things that trigger it and can make the situation worse. Some of these factors include alcohol, anxiety, stress, caffeine and other different medications.
Additionally, a new study shows that airway disorders cause clenching as well. So, it’s important for the Doctor to examine patients for breathing-related disorder like snoring or sleep apnea because these two are also as a result of teeth clenching. See a dentist for full evaluation if you suspect that you grind your teeth when sleeping. You can also buy a mouth guard to help you with this issue temporarily for about two weeks to a month. However, it’s not recommended for any long-term use.
A mouth guard is not meant to treat complex situations. The device is not quite useful for people struggling with severe issues on the joint like an inflammation, pop, click or lock as they often reduce the impact on your teeth.
In this Guide
9 Best Over the Counter Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinding
Here are some of the best over the counter mouth guard for teeth grinding:
#1. Oral-B Nighttime Dental Guard with Scope
Only professional doctors fit custom mouth guards but for the best over the counter mouth guard for teeth grinding, go for the boil and bite one as it has a perfect fit and molds to the teeth. Soften it by placing it in hot water then bite into the guard to set it. You can trim the extra material when it finally sets for a semi-custom fit.
Oral-B Nighttime Dental Guard features an amazing mint flavor which you can use a microwave to soften. Besides, the microwaveable mouth guards are better than the traditional ones because they are usually made of lightweight, moldable and thinner materials.
Oral- B Dental Guard also offers full teeth coverage which makes it the best over the counter mouth guard for teeth grinding and a safer alternative to most partial appliances. However, the teeth can shift if you wear some of these mouth guards for an extended period. Teeth don’t drift out of the jaw bone because they are constantly in touch with each other at night. This therefore means that wearing partial appliances can cause the teeth to shift on you.
#2. Plackers Grind No More Dental Night Guard
Plackers Dental Night Guard can be used right after unboxing and are a quicker solution to boil and bite mouth guards. They are an ideal choice especially if they have a perfect fit and feel comfortable in the mouth. You can wear this disposable mouth guard on the lower or upper teeth or use soap and water, toothpaste or Efferdent tablets to clean it between uses. However, a soft toothbrush, soap and water are highly recommended since toothpaste tends to scratch it up causing fast accumulation of bacteria. Plackers Grind Dental Night Guard is typically one of the best no boil mouth guards.
FULL REVIEW: Plackers Grind No More Review
#3. Dentek Comfort Fit Dental Guard Kit
This mouth guard features a slimmer design compared to its other counterparts. Dentek Dental Guard Kit offers ultimate protection while keeping you comfortable enough. It comes with a five-point band that can be adjusted easily for a more customized fit since you can’t boil or microwave it to perfectly conform to the teeth.
People with sensitive gag reflexes should get professionally-made mouth guards since the low-profile versions also tend to touch the top of the mouth and can sometimes be quite irritating. Partial guards that don’t conform to the teeth can dislodge as you sleep and the chances of moving around to the throat is unusually high for back sleepers.
FULL REVIEW: Dentek Dental Guard Review
#4. Dental Duty Professional Dental Guard
Dental Duty is ideal for daytime grinders but can also be worn at night since it’s a boil and bite mouth guard. Most people tend to clench their teeth when working out and lifting weights because as the body tenses so does the jaw and this is where the Dental Duty Mouth Guard comes in handy.
#5. Ora-Guard Dental Grind Guard
This microwaveable mouth guard works well for those with sensitive front teeth as it covers the ones at the back only. The guard offers a snug fit keeping it in place and preventing it from moving around at night which makes it super comfortable.
Check the fitting instructions for Ora Guard in the video below:
#6. SnoreRx
Sometimes teeth clenching and grinding only shows that you are stressed. A recent study confirms a slight relation between teeth clenching during the night and sleep disorder or potential problem with the airway. SnoreRx is uniquely designed for those who believe the root cause of their problem is snoring or sleep apnea.
SnoreRx Mouth Guard covers both the lower and upper teeth which is a bonus as it won’t wear them down. Besides, it also helps prevent the jaw from dropping back especially at night thereby keeping the airway open which consequently reduces teeth grinding. The mouth guard is also adjustable for comfort and a more customized fit.
FULL REVIEW: SnorerX Review
#7. VitalSleep
The VitalSleep mouth guard works just like the SnoreRx. It holds forward the tongue and jaw offering full teeth coverage. It’s adjustable, features the boil and bite design and has a perfect fit as it comes in women’s and men’s sizes.
FULL REVIEW: VitalSleep Review
#8. Good Morning Snore Solution Mouthpiece
This is a tongue retention gadget that helps keep the airway open if your teeth grinding is associated with snoring. It will pull your tongue forward during the night thus opening the airway. The mouthpiece is ideal for those with dentures and large tongues.
FULL REVIEW: Good Morning Snore Solution Review
#9. ZYPPAH Anti-Snoring Hybrid Oral Appliance Mouthpiece
This Zyppah Appliance Mouthpiece combines the tongue retainer and traditional guard making it on of the best over the counter mouth guard for teeth grinding. It controls the tongue’s position and the jaw. The mouth guard comes with a tongue strap that typically serves as a seatbelt preventing the tongue from obstructing the airway. It’s also a boil and bite mouth guard but can’t be adjusted further.
FULL REVIEW: Zyppah Review
