How To Pick A Mouth Guard For Your Children's Teeth Grinding Problem
One of the major ways of handling pain from teeth grinding is to use mouth guards. The key question to ask yourself, however, is what type of guard you should get. There are multiple types of guards available out there that work for different needs depending on the particular issue of your or your children. Here are some examples of how you should choose the right guard.
Preventing It in the First Place-Stock Guards
If you already know that you're someone who grinds their teeth at night, one approach you can use is buying a stock guard from just about any sports store. Grinding your teeth at night can cause teeth sensitivity, and eventually damage to your jaw and teeth. If you put a guard in at night, this will ensure that you don't end up with as much damage.
The advantage of these type of guards is that they are the cheapest type, and they are one size fits all. So, you don't have to put a lot of effort into sizing them for your mouth. This means that if you have a fairly average-sized mouth, this could be a good bet to jump out ahead of potential issues.
Do It Yourself: Boil Guards
If your issue with grinding is more of a problem, then it could make sense to get a guard that is more customized to the shape of your teeth. If you don't want to go in for a procedure for whatever reason, there are guards available that allow you to perform the customization yourself. These work by having you put the plastic guard in boiling water for a short amount of time.
Then, you take the guard out using a wooden spoon, cool it in ice quickly, and then put it in your mouth and the soft plastic will conform to your particular teeth. You can then wear it at night to prevent teeth grinding and it will be more efficient and comfortable then stock mouth guards. This can also be a good option if you find the stock guard doesn't fit you very well.
Serious Conditions: Professional Guards
In cases where you're having a real problem with teeth grinding, it often makes good sense to make sure that you go into a professional. If you leave the problem for too long, it can develop into more serious conditions like TMJ. The most customized and effective guards will be created by a professional dentist.
Overall, the important thing is to stay on top of the issue. If you're vigilant about your teeth grinding and prevent further problems early, then the won't develop into more serious conditions effective your jaw alignment later on. Contact a dentist that practices pediatric dentistry for help with choosing your child's mouth guards.
