November 7th, 2009
Author: Admin
I had a mouthpiece made years ago for TMJ. Recently, my back teeth were hurting and I went to the dentist. He said there were no cavaties nor did I need a root canal. My problem is my TMJ, and the fact that I clench and grind my teeth. He said if my old mouthpiece didn’t fit anymore (which it doesn’t) then I could have another one made. Will a football mouthpiece work just as well to wear at night?
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No. I asked that question of my dentist and doctor when they thought I had TMJ (it was in fact, Trigeminal Neuralgia) and they both said no. The mouth piece is made differently and allows you to breath better in your sleep. A football mouth piece isn’t made to wear lying down.
They both bring your teeth out off contacts; however, they dont serve the same purpose. The designs and materials are not the same. So see a dentist/orthodontist for your need.
Dear Twisted:
unless you are playing football in your dreams, then you will need to stop shoort changing your self and let the dentist give you the proper mouth fixture.
I’m a dentist.
No. They are entirely different devices.
A mouthpiece used for football (and other sports) is intended to distribute impact forces evenly across your teeth and jaw bones (and thus prevent your front teeth from taking all the force and getting knocked out).
An occlusal guard is a very different device. It is meant to modify your bite and to bring about relaxation of your muscles of mastication (i.e. the muscles that cause you to bite down). Its design is very different from that of a sports mouthguard.
The mere fact that they are both made to fit only your teeth does not even remotely give them overlapping purposes.
If you have chronic TMJ then I would not mess around with a football mouthpiece. I just replaced my appliance this year but it is worth it for me. You could buy one of the mouthpieces to try if you really want to and since they are not that expensive you can throw it out. Good luck.
the mouth piece i used from the dentist didn’t seem to be as comfortable as i hoped for after time. i purchased one of those Doctor Night Guards that you can buy at most drug stores and some grocery stores.
you just boil the mouth piece in hot water then form it to your teeth and you’re good to go. i trimmed it with scissors to make it even more comfortable. Obviously, the box contains all instructions.
it’s very comfortable and extremely durable. only around $25.00 too.