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tarapaige · Sep 19, 2007, 09:31 AM

My boyfriend has been breaking off parts of one of his molars for a few months now, but doesn't have a cavity. The dentist recently told him it's being caused by grinding his teeth at night. She said he needs to have a mouth guard made and it will cost around $300. I have been researching this online and a lot of people are saying that they have just bought a sports mouth guard in the football section at sporting goods stores instead since they are a lot cheaper. The problem is, he needs a hard plastic guard, not a soft squishy one because that will make the griding worse by exercising his jaw muscles and making them stronger. Are there any cheaper alternatives to a hard plastic mouth guard, other than the $300 one from the dentist? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

flossie · Sep 19, 2007, 05:50 PM

I'm afraid not. The dentist can make one specifically for his mouth that won't cause any further damage. The office I work in charges $375 for a night guard - you're getting a great deal!

KISS · Sep 19, 2007, 06:05 PM

I got one made, but I ended up not liking it. I started to become concsious of the popensity to grind just before going to bed when I was agitated. I fixed the agitation and the dentist/peridontist isn't complaining anymore.

flossie · Sep 20, 2007, 03:28 AM

I've had one for over 10 yrs and can't sleep without it.

jillianleab · Sep 20, 2007, 08:19 AM

In the US you can find OTC ones at pharmacies, but I'm not sure of their effectiveness or texture (hard or soft).

Adjustable Night Guard | SleepRight Select | Beauty & Spa | Walgreens

It's probably better for him to save up and get the one from his dentist though; if he's grinding so hard he's breaking his teeth, he's going to want to make sure the guard fits properly.

retsoksirhc · Sep 20, 2007, 10:05 AM

I wouldn't recommend a sports guard. I had to get an occlusial guard (that's what my dentist said they were called) a few years ago, which I still use to this day, and they told me that it was like a sports guard, but fitted to your teeth, and bigger. He also said that with something smaller like a sports guard, you run the risk of choking on it in your sleep.

pluckyflamingo · Oct 3, 2007, 08:40 AM

If you cannot afford a dental mouth guard a sports mouth piece works just the same. If they both protect your teeth a $5.00 mouth guard is fine with me. At the moment I cannot afford a $300 mouth guard and my dentist is nice enough to give me other options she recommended just getting a sports mouth guard. The one I bought was only $5 and with the type of plastic on it allows me to boil it that way after it cools a little, you place it in your mouth and it molds to your teeth, overall having a lasting affect of protecting your teeth but for A lot less money.

Oh by the way, I have NEVER choked on mine.