Bruxism mouth guard

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:58 pm

I am suffering from severe teeth grinding while sleep. My dentist custom made a mouth guard for me 5 years ago. It is very soft and comfortable and covers all the lower teeth. The problem I have is a small jaw and a big tongue
I get a gagging feeling when I try to use it.
Is there a guard that probably covers the front teeth and hence no gagging feeling? Can I get one of the over the counter ones and cut it, so it covers the front teeth only?
Any insight is appreciated

Mary · Post by **Mary** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:07 pm

[/b]I think that I would try the sports store for a mouth piece like the kids use playing football, you could trim in to fit. Just a thought

Mary

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:44 pm

There are some low-profile dental guards out there. the one I happen to be aware of is Splintek. You can see the less obtrusive profile from the picture below. I think there are others on the market like Splintek.

http://www.splintek.com/

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:51 pm

Thank you for your inputs. I am going to talk to my dentist tomorrow and see if there are anu guards that cove the front teeth only. SleepRight seems to rest on the back teeth and that is where I gagg

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:14 pm

I have been whittling my own mouth guard for a few years now. I do always take it with me to my biannual teeth check to have the dentist review it. It costs me a couple of bucks versus a couple hundred uninsured bucks, and my dentist was the one that suggested it as a cheaper alternative for my teeth grinding. Best tip is to whittle it to super thin and bite hard when its softened from boiling it

I have also incorporated a tongue guide to STOP mouth leaks. Combined with everything else I have done (nose surgery, saline sinus flushes, and every trick on the forum) my apneas are down to about ZERO on most nights now with minimal leakage and not even using a chin strap. Sure seems worth a few hours of playing around with $3 boil and bite sports guards.

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:39 pm

Hi snamvar,

I clench my teeth at night and wear an acrylic (hard) appliance at night. It is molded to my teeth, and not too thick, but positions my jaw correctly so that I don't damage the TMJ joint further, or my teeth.

I also have a very small mouth and I have been clenching long enough that I have boney deposits on my lower jaw called tori (sp?). The tori are the body's attempt to strengthen the jaw because of the clenching strain (this explanation from my dentist). The tori restrict the space for my tongue. I also gag easily, and this device does not set off the gag reflex.

I think that the hard acrylic can be made thinner and formed more effectively than the softer material of the boil and bite devices. It does take an investment and some time to get it fitted correctly and adjusted for comfort and position. I have had several and they generally last 5-10 years if there are no other changes. They can be repaired by the dentist. The material is like a orthodontic retainer or acrylic fingernails, so is quite durable and can be ground to fit with the dentist drill. I would bite through the soft material very quickly, so the harder material works for me.

I hope that this is in time to help you out!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:26 am

I have a bit guard, and it covers my top teeth. It was custom-made by a dentist, and it's made of the hard plastic. It took just a night or two to get used to it. and now I don't notice it at all. It looks very much like the home-made one shown by snork1.

3isles · Post by **3isles** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:03 am

Snork 1 does your homemade guard fit tightly on the teeth? I couldn't get mine to be as tight as the hard plastic one from the dentist, but that one is SO thick I can't stand it and its forcing my other teeth out of alignment.
Is there a brand of guard that is better to use.

Maybe I just didn't boil it long enough?

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:45 am

I didn't like the hard acrylic one from the dentist. It lasted a long time, but its so hard that I was still getting nerve trauma from grinding. The boil and bite ones are a bit softer and save me the $300.

I can't remember what brand of boil-n-bite I bought, but it was the absolutely most basic one they had. I used a side-cutter (wire cutters) to trim off the excess boiled-n-bit and trimmed again, repeating a few times to get it thin. I trim it pretty much flush at the front of the teeth to avoid interfering with some CPAP interfaces that press on the upper lip area.

Notice the "wings" on the back. Those are used to grab the back teeth, which is a feature I noticed on some photos of guards that I saw. You can dip those separately when you have it all pretty well adjusted and give them a little squeeze for better grip.

I took the trimmings and boiled and smooshed them together to make the tongue guide. Note this guide also tends to GENTLY move the jaw forward when you clench, which helps most people's OSA. Someone has also gotten the material for the tongue guide by boiling the guard until VERY soft, and biting very far forward, shoving most of the material back to make the guide. (I am going to try that myself next)

I have heard that a heated spoon works good for some shaping and smoothing. I use a drimmel tool with drum sander bit at low speed to smooth the rough edges, but sandpaper should also work.

Yah, its a bit of hassle and work, but for ME its worth saving $300 AND getting something that stops mouth leaks, eliminates a chin strap(some people still need a light duty chin strap at first) and with my jaw going forward when I try to grind, my AHI numbers go DOWN.

Your mileage may vary, and all usual disclaimers. make sure you have your dentist check it at your regular checkup.

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:45 pm

Thanks snork,
I see that you have mastered the art of customizing night guards. I am fascinated by how people become creative with masks, nightguards etc. This gives me enough info to become creative with my own guard creation and avoid the gagging feeling
Thank you all.

3isles · Post by **3isles** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:35 pm

Yes Thanks Snork, I got three youth sized to play with Ill give it another try.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:08 pm

Since there is some interest here on this subject.....as well there should be, in my opinion. Here is a link to another thread on the subject using a slightly different but very interesting approach that I alluded to.

DIY mouthguard

This seems like one of the more major breakthroughs in CPAP therapy accessories. I do hope more people try it!

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:39 am

Hi Snork,
Thanks for the link. It does get into the issue extensively. What brand of nightguard is a good one? I went to the lungs drugs yesterday and they had one (I don't remember which brand) which was around $27. You refer to $3 in your posts. I also hear about a sport mouth guard. Which brand is a good one to get?
Thanks.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:43 pm

If you buy the "night guard kit" in the drug store section, it will cost you $27. Or you can buy what looks to be the identical item at the sports store for $3-$8. (the $8 one comes with two).

I get the one that is simple with no inserts or extra parts or tabs or anything.

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 8:41 pm

Thanks Snork

Bruxism mouth guard

Bruxism mouth guard

Mouth Guard

combo guard

bite buard for top teeth

DIY tongue guide and mouthguard