5 Best night guard for teeth grinding & TMJ [review]
Tooth pain is one of the most painful symptoms of TMJ, and unfortunately, it is one of the most common. More than half of people with TMJ report this type of discomfort.
A TMJ mouth guard can help in relieving pressure from teeth grinding. A shock absorbing pad between the teeth can reduce excessive wear, cracking and chipping, and loosening. It can also reduce tension in the muscles. A misaligned TMJ can cause tension in the jaw muscles, which can further aggravate the TMJ. Most importantly, a nightguard can help you sleep better with TMJ. Using a TMJ mouth guard is an easy step that you can take to reduce the severity of TMJ symptoms, but it is important to choose the right one.
Best Mouth Guards For Grinding Teeth at Night
1 Ora-Guard Dental Grind Guard BEST FOR SENSITIVE TEETH
REASON TO BUY: Our choice for sleepers with sensitive front teeth, the Ora-Guard covers only the rear teeth for a comfortable fit. The patented Ora-Guard bite plate design slides the lower jaw down and forward to relieve tension in the muscles of the TMJ.
It has a low profile, which means it is not bulky and will be comfortable to wear, and the patented design ensures that the mouthguard stays secure and does not slip. Customizable with microwave or traditional boil and bite method, this mouthguard allows your teeth to move naturally throughout the night while relieving muscle tension.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: Bought for someone with TMJD whose medical professional recommended it to try to avoid pursuing costly custom TMJ orthotics. She wears it most nights, and it has kept her jaw from coming out of place badly again. Twice it has put her jaw back in place overnight. (To clarify, her jaw has never fully dislocated or gotten stuck open/closed.) She highly recommends it when used along with seeing a medical professional.
2 Dental Duty Professional Dental Guard
Dental Duty Professional Dental Guard, a versatile anti-bruxism mouth guard that not only reduces grinding and jaw clenching but also helps whiten teeth and can serve as an athletic mouthguard for sports like football or wrestling. Boiled and bites mouthguards can be cut for a custom fit and are made of BPA free materials.
The Dental Duty mouthguard is also very soft and comfortable; discomfort is a common complaint associated with other patterns of and-bite models. These mouthguards also have an exceptionally low price; a four-guard box, The Dental Duty Professional Dental Guard is backed by a 30-night sleep test with a money-back guarantee, too.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: I could never wear a night guard from the dentist because it made me drool like a Saint Bernard. When TMJ struck this year I was terrified of having to try again – but reviews on the Dental Duty guard convinced me to try it. Simple to use, oddly comfortable, and I slept like a baby while wearing it. A miracle!
3 DenTek Comfort-Fit Dental Guard Kit
With a slimmer design than some other popular mouthguards, Rozenberg says that this Dentek model offers equal protection while feeling more comfortable. Although you can’t boil it up in the microwave to fit your teeth, it comes with a five-point adjustable band for a better fit. However, if you have a sensitive gag reflex, it is better to go with a professional, since even these low-profile OTC versions always come into contact with the roof of the mouth, which can be irritating. In addition, Dr. Bakhtiari warns that a partial guard that does not match your teeth (ahem, this one) can be dislodged during the night and that sleepers on their back “risk moving towards the back of the throat”.
4 DentalCare Labs
This is another pack of 4 BPA-free mouldable mouthguards. Custom mouthguards may be problematic for some users when their teeth alignment changes; in many cases they will need to purchase a new fitted guard. This Armor mouthguard offers unlimited adjustments, saving buyers a lot of money in the long run. The customization process is also convenient: buyers make a mold using a kit at home, and then send their imprint to Teeth Armor using a prepaid sticker.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: Easy to mold to mouth. I think I have been clenching my jaw in my sleep and now also suspect I may have TMJ. Hopefully, this mouthguard will help with all of this. Easy to sleep with.
this consider to be the best mouthguard for tooth grinding for kids
5 The Teeth Armor
This is made of durable laminate, giving the product a long lifespan. It is also of medium density and should be quite comfortable for most to use. This mouthguard is backed by a money-back satisfaction guarantee. The price of the protection is much lower than most other custom models, making it our best price custom mouthguard.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: I use this because I have TMJ. It works wonders and my jaws no longer hurt in the morning. I’m really glad I went through them. They were very helpful with the questions I had.
Do I need a TMJ mouthguard?
A mouth guard may be the best treatment, depending on the cause and severity of the TMJ disorder. Is TMJ pain caused by compression or clenching of jaw muscles or grinding teeth?
A mouthguard can place the muscles to better relax, providing relief from jaw pain, dental pain, ear pain, and facial pain.
In cases of TMJ disorder caused by irregular or missing teeth (when your bite is “off”), another type of procedure may be required to alleviate your symptoms. Depending on the complexity, the most aggressive TMJ problems that require more extensive treatment or surgery may take months to receive relief.
Good news! Some TMJ problems may disappear over time. According to the person, TMJ pain in the teeth and jaw muscles can last only for a short time and then disappear by itself.
What happens if I don’t use TMJ mouthguard?
TMJ problems tend to worsen, rather than solve themselves. If TMJD is caused by teeth grinding or compression, constant wear can make you vulnerable to gum recession, enamel wear and broken dental work. Teeth grinders who experience pain when waking up must protect the teeth at night with a custom nightguard.
How can I stop my TMJ?
There is no “single cure” for TMJ disorder. Even surgery is not guaranteed to solve the problem and should be used as a last resort.
Help yourself first!
Usually, TMJ pain treatment begins at home. This may include taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen), a softer diet, avoiding chewing gum, relaxing exercises, reducing stress, massaging, applying a hot or cold compress to the jaw muscles, and using a mouthguard when sleeping. Keep in mind that physical activities such as moving heavy furniture or lifting weights can aggravate TMJ problems and increase jaw pain due to muscle tightening during work or exercise. Take into account your actions. Do you squeeze or grind your teeth during the day? Make a point to relax your jaw every time you think about it.
Surgical Therapies for Temporomandibular Joint
Non-surgical treatment should always be considered first.
Arthroscopy means “looking inside the joint.” A small incision is made so that a surgeon can look directly at the cartilage and bone and possibly correct minor problems on the spot, including the removal of any inflamed tissue.
You can go home the same day. Open joint surgery is more complex. Surgery can last up to several hours, depending on the complexity. This type of procedure can be used to reattach slipped cartilage, repair the tissue, or completely replace a joint. Studies and tests Temporomandibular implant devices. This surgery is highly recommended as a last resort ONLY. The studies showed some success, but in general, they did not reduce the pain associated with TMD.
Do you want to avoid surgery?
The use of a mouthguard is a preventive measure, as well as a therapeutic measure. In most cases, you can avoid additional damage by using mouthguards. In most cases, TMJ is one of the best ways to manage your symptoms. Avoid mouthguards. These types are not designed to help with TMJ and may even aggravate your symptoms.
TMJ Mouth Guard Buying Guide
Types of Mouth Guards for Sleep
There are three common models of mouthguards: custom, impression, and boil-and-bite. Next, we explore the three types and share the pros and cons of each.
Custom Impression: The most expensive custom dental mouthguards of the three options are created with the impression of a sleeper’s mouth. These types of mouthguards require a visit to the dentist’s office and can cost $500 or more. Some custom models are available for purchase online. In these cases, buyers send their dental printing to the company and receive their personalized mouthguards by mail. Although expensive, these mouthguards produce excellent results thanks to their custom designs.
Boil and bite: Made of a material softened in hot water, the owner dips the mouthguard in boiling water, allows it to cool, then bites to create a personalized impression. Although they are not as advanced as custom templates, they are more affordable.
Stock: Normally “One size fits all”, stock mouthguards are not customizable or trimmable, but are the most economical option.
When choosing a sleeping mouthguard, it is important to make the following considerations:
Cost: Your budget will determine what type of mouthguard you can afford, as dental impression models can cost $500 or more. Boiled mouthguards and bites usually cost $30 or less.
Molded or one size fits all: If you suffer from severe bruxism, a molded night tray can be more effective.
Trimmable: Some models can be cut with scissors for a better fit.
Cleaning Instructions: Most guards require simple rinsing, but some options require long cleaning with expensive solutions.
Impressions: If Impressions are required, consider the costs and schedule associated with sending to the manufacturer and waiting for the trays. This can vary from 30 to 365 nights.
TMJ Exercises and Home Remedies
There are also a number of TMJ exercises, stretches and massages that can be performed to alleviate pain almost immediately.
TMJ exercises are an excellent way to treat temporomandibular joint syndrome at home. In the lists and video, you will find exercises that you can try from the comfort of your own home to find relief from your TMJ symptoms.
Through a combination of these exercises and tips, it is possible to completely reverse the symptoms of TMJ, and if you take this seriously and make it a habit, you can make sure that your signs and symptoms do not relapse.
Exercise 1
Place a hand under the jaw – you can put your face on your palms or create a fist. Keeping the pressure constant, try to open the jaw of the mouth. Let some pressure be exerted while you open your mouth against your hand. Hold for 10 seconds. Close the jaw again when it starts to pop. Rest for 10 seconds and repeat. Repeat a few times a day.
Exercise 2
Another effective TMJ exercise would be to open your mouth and place two fingers on the lower teeth. Press the lower jaw, stretching the muscles. Be sure to do it slowly and completely, closing your mouth, and then again carefully pushing your jaw. Repeat ten times.
Exercise 3
With the mouth open as wide as possible without causing pain, use your right hand to slowly push the right side of the jaw. Hold in position for 10 s and return to the center. Repeat on the other side.
Exercise 4
Trace the hinge of the jaw and massage the muscles with a downward movement.
Exercise 5
Open your mouth as wide as possible without feeling pain. Go back to your closed mouth. Open your mouth twice more, but half wide.
Exercise 6
Place an object (pencil) about ½ inch thick between the teeth. Gently move the jaw from side to side. Repeat this several times. Once you feel it’s too easy, use a thicker object (marker) to challenge yourself.
Exercise 8
With the same ½ inch object used in the previous exercise, move the lower teeth forward until they are in front of the upper teeth. Repeat this several times until it is easier. Replace with a thicker object.
Exercise 9
Open your mouth as wide as possible and place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. While applying pressure gently, move the tip of the tongue to the tonsils and hold it for 5 seconds. Now remove your tongue out of your mouth as far as you can and hold it for another 5 seconds. Repeat 5-10 times.
Exercise 10
While looking in the mirror, slowly open your mouth while trying to keep both front teeth centered with the lower teeth. Repeat 5-10 times.
TMJ exercises should be performed at least once a day for several days in a row.
The discomfort felt at first will eventually dissipate and, when regularly and correctly practiced, these exercises will help bring the jaw to the proper alignment. Always relax each of the TMJ exercises, stopping when the discomfort becomes too much.
What Causes TMJ or TMD?
There may be a number of different problems that lead to TMD (temporomandibular disorder), such as injury or physical trauma that caused misalignment of the teeth or jaw. There could also be a natural misalignment in these areas that also creates pain.
Other common causes of TMJ may include teeth grinding or teeth clenching, which many people do not know what to do while they sleep. The medical term for dental grinding is known as bruxism.
Poor posture in the upper back and neck muscles that cause muscle tension can also lead to abnormalities in the function of the jaw muscles. Arthritis in these areas can create pain in the jaw, as well as something less complicated like chewing gum.
This may not seem obvious, but episodic or chronic stress can cause problems with TMD and TMJ because high-stress levels sometimes lead people to unintentionally squeeze their jaws for long periods of time.