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Mouthguards: From Sports to Teeth Grinding

May 26, 2009 By 4 Comments

We asked dentists about mouthguards, and found that fully 92% of dentist respondent offer them for bruxism. TMD was cited by 76%, while 59% offer athletic mouthguards and 40% for sleep apnea.

"We make very few athletic mouthguards," said a Maine dentist. "Parents in our area elect the over-the-counter 'Boil & Bite' guards over custom, laboratory-fabricated mouthguards."

"They really work!" exclaimed a Georgia dentist who offers splints for bruxing and TMD.

"I've had almost 2,000 hours of C.E. on TMJ, Bruxism and Sleep," offered an Illinois dentist. "Too many doctors try to treat these problems with inadequate knowledge."

Declared a California periodontist, "I like the hard/soft splint/guard."

Read more: Why dentists prescribe mouthguards

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Julie Frey is the Editor of TheWealthyDentist.com blog. She has dedicated her career to Internet marketing and communications, working side-by-side with dental marketing guru Jim Du Molin since 2006. She has a degree in Linguistics from Stanford University, has a passion for language and writing, and lives in San Francisco. Julie Frey+

  • http://www.memphistmj.com Melody A Barron, DDS

    TMJ, Bruxism and Sleep disorders definitely have a science to their treatment. To say “use a nightguard” or “use a splint” is often an over-simplification of the needed treatment. For instance an FDA approved appliance for sleep apnea is required in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea by oral appliance therapy. Sleep Apnea must be diagnosed by a qualified sleep physician. Bruxism is a sure sign to look for sleep disordered breathing underlying this activity. You need to learn when you should refer your patient to a qualified dentist trained in treating TMJ disorders and Sleep Disordered Breathing.

  • Lew Specker

    Agree with Melody. (90% of occlusal appliances that patients bring in do not fit, are not worn, have not been properly adjusted or the purpose has not been explained to the patient. As far as sleep related appliances, right now Dentists cannot diagnose sleep apnea. ENT’s that refer to me break down the degree of sleep apnea and possible ENT procedures that they may offer. I believe that nocturnal appliances must provide a continuous patent airway as well as properly position the Md to maximize the opening of the throat and position of the tongue.

  • Pingback: Dental Procedures For Teeth Grinding

  • http://prescottfamilydentistry.com/ Kristen Marlin

    Mouth guards have been used for close contact sports. And today, these may be used to protect teeth from grinding with those people who have bruxism. Continued teeth grinding is not good because it may damage your teeth. That’s why most dentists advise their patients who have bruxism to wear mouth guards for teeth protection.

     

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