Teeth grinding is a problem that affects at least 8% of adults in America. Sufferers can experience tooth flattening, loss of enamel, and even cracking. It is also associated with jaw pain and migraines. It can also be difficult for partners of people who grind their teeth, as it can be quite loud and usually occurs at night. Thankfully, there are many good solutions available that can greatly reduce the impacts of teeth grinding. Getting a guard that doesn’t fit can result in it coming loose and causing gagging. Gagging on teeth grinding guards can be prevented though.
Grinding Guards
The most commonly used and effective of these solutions are teeth grinding guards or ‘night guards’. However, many people find themselves not wearing their night guard because they are bulky or cause them to gag. A solution is only effective if you can use it without being uncomfortable, otherwise, you will likely stop using it regularly.
A night guard is only effective when you are able to wear it. Poorly fitted mouthguards can contribute to gagging, making it very difficult for people to keep their night guard in place. Custom-fit teeth grinding guards, such as available from SportingSmiles, fit snug to your teeth and reduce the risk of gagging.
Thankfully, there are a few things that can be done to make using your night guard more comfortable. The last thing you want is a guard that’s less comfortable than grinding your teeth. Follow our list below to ensure that you get a guard that will not end up collecting dust. The experts at Sleep Foundation also came out with a list that has Sporting Smiles featured on it for the top teeth grinding night guards available.
How to Prevent Gagging with the Right Teeth Grinding Guard
1. Have a custom thermo-formed nightguard made that isn’t thicker than 3mm. From our testing at SportingSmiles, we found that most people do not find 3mm guards bulky, but some do find the 4mm to be bulky. If you find the 3mm to be too bulky then there is also a thin 1mm hard night guard available.
2. The trimming style of the guard can also affect the gag factor. Choosing thermo-formed guards help ensure the tightest fit, reducing the chance of gagging. Custom lower profile guards still have a snug fit but don’t feel like they fill up your mouth more than it has to.
3. The length of the guard is also an important factor when dealing with comfort and gagging. If the guard is too long on the rear molars it can provoke gagging. Removing one or two molars from the mold of the guard can increase the comfort of the night guard. Speak to our team if you think that this is something that has affected you with your current guard and we will make adjustments to get a guard that works for you.
4. Find a dentist and dental lab experienced in making night guards. There are many dentists and dental labs that aren’t familiar with the different types of modern materials and techniques. Do your research and make sure you are not spending hundreds of dollars on a guard that will end up sitting in a drawer because it is uncomfortable. At SportingSmiles we make thousands of teeth grinding guards every year and know all the tricks to make the guards as comfortable as possible.
Contact SportingSmiles if you have more questions about getting the right night guard for your needs. Our team is always ready and willing to listen to your needs and guide you to the right product.
1 comment
My wife kept gagging on her night guard when she slept and to be honest it was annoying. I ordered her a night guard from here and we both sleep better now.