Orthodontist warned against using home mouthguards for bruxism

Homemade mouthguards for bruxism, which are actively sold on marketplaces, are not able to eliminate the problem of night gnashing of teeth. Mariana Baragunova, a leading orthodontist at the EUROKAPPA Clinic Scientific and clinical center, told Izvestia on December 7.

According to the expert, such products are usually made of soft medical silicone. The buyer is offered to lower the mouth guard into hot water for 15-20 seconds, and then press it against the teeth so that it acquires the desired shape. However, as Baragunova notes, one should not expect a noticeable effect from such overlays.

"It is important to understand that mild household mouthguards do not treat Bruxism. They do not eliminate the causes of nighttime tension, do not protect the joint and have almost no effect on the work of the masticatory muscles. Yes, a mouth guard can slightly reduce tooth wear by acting as a barrier, but it does not solve the problem. The grinding continues, but the load on the temporomandibular joint does not decrease," the orthodontist emphasized.

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The specialist also noted the psychological aspect. According to her, the person who bought such a mouthguard often considers the issue of treatment closed. There is a false sense of security, as if the situation is under control, although the main risks of Bruxism remain.

If the patient uses a home mouth guard as a temporary measure while waiting for a specialist's consultation, this approach is acceptable, the doctor notes. However, during the pre-treatment period, it is advisable to further reduce caffeine intake, maintain sleep hygiene, and apply self-massage techniques to the masticatory muscles. These measures can help reduce muscle hypertonia and partially reduce the severity of nocturnal parafunctional activity.

Baragunova explained that effective therapy depends on the cause of bruxism, and a doctor can use different methods. For example, physical therapy. The procedures relieve spasm of the masticatory muscles, improve blood flow and reduce pain. It can be electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, facial and neck muscle massage.

Stress is also one of the key factors. Patients are advised to practice breathing, meditation, light physical exercises and, if necessary, work with a psychologist. If the problem is related to the incorrect position of the teeth, orthodontic treatment is required. In some patients, bruxism is caused by a malfunction of the temporomandibular joint. In such cases, treatment is aimed at stabilizing it and reducing overload.

"The optimal solution is to consult a specialist, undergo a diagnosis and identify the cause of bruxism," Baragunova summed up.

Earlier, on September 12, Olga Zhuk, internist and CEO of OrthoLike Dental clinic, spoke about the effects of narrowing of the upper jaw in children. According to the expert, it can lead to a number of complications, such as crowding of teeth, malocclusion, breathing problems, as well as disorders with cerebral circulation due to insufficient oxygen supply.

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