Dental Mouth Guards and Splints

Many people suffer from nocturnal grinding of the teeth, clenching of the jaw, and other TMJ disorders. TMJ stands for tempromandibular joints, which are the joints of the jaw that connect the mandible (the lower jaw bone) to the skull.

Teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism, can be caused by stress, hyper-activeness, or a misalignment of the teeth or jaw. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause varying degrees of pain and discomfort. These habits can also weaken teeth and cause chipping and wearing. If left untreated, teeth grinding can lead to an eventual breakdown of the teeth, jaw pain, headaches, loss of sleep, and other TMJ disorders.

Dental mouth guards and splints can relieve pain, discomfort, and wear caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Specialty mouth guards can also be corrective, conditioning the body to stop grinding the teeth or clenching the jaw. These mouth guards are to be worn at night, during sleep to prevent the pain and discomfort associated with nocturnal bruxism.

One of the most common types of dental mouth guards being used today is the full upper mouth guard/splint. This therapeutic devise is constructed of a specialty material and can be constructed to your mouth's exact specifications by your dentist. Most commonly, the mouth guard fits over all of the upper teeth, but can also be fashioned for the lower set of teeth, should that be necessary, while providing the same results. The full upper mouth guard, sometimes called a bite plate, holds the jaw in a more comfortable position during sleep, reducing jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

The NTI is another type of mouth splint that may be used to treat jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and other TMJ disorders. Unlike the full upper mouth guard, which covers all of the upper teeth, the NTI is worn only around the top front teeth. These devices are also custom fit to your mouth's specifications, and can reduce clenching up to 66%.

While not dangerous, teeth grinding and clenching can cause problems if not properly treated. If the cause of these habits is due to structural problems with the jaw or teeth, then the use of a dental mouth guard or splint is one of the best ways to correct the problem. While sleeping, these bite plates will cause the jaw to settle into a more comfortable position, thereby eliminating the body's unconscious desire to grind the teeth or clench the jaw. Consult your dentist to see if the use of a mouth guard can help you.