10 to 15 % of French people would be affected by bruxism. It is a disorder that affects both children and adults and whose severity can vary throughout life.
Wearing an anti-bruxism mouthpiece at night prevents tooth wear and relieves joint pain.
What is an anti-bruxism mouthpiece?
Bruxism, a disorder with serious consequences
Bruxism is a dental disorder that manifests itself as involuntary and unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth. This disorder is often caused by stress and anxiety. It affects both adults and children and can vary in severity.
Bruxism causes joint pain and can lead to filed or broken teeth due to friction. The neck of the tooth - the part that meets the gum - can also be affected, as well as the gum itself.
Dental gutter against teeth clenching: instructions for use
There are several types of dental trays, each with its own use. It is important to differentiate between them because only one type is used to treat bruxism: the occlusal tray.
The anti-bruxism occlusal splint
The occlusal splint, used in particular against bruxism, prevents joint disorders related to the tightening of the jaw muscles.
Worn only at night, the occlusal splint relaxes the jaw muscles, which has the effect of :
- Limit the effects of grinding and clenching of teeth,
- Reduce the progression of tooth wear,
- Relieve joint pain.
Other dental trays
Other types of trays are used to treat other problems.
The orthodontic mouthpiece gently moves the teeth to correct dental malposition.
The whitening tray contains a tooth whitening gel that penetrates the tooth enamel overnight and dissolves tooth stains and discoloration.
As for the fluoridation tray, it contains a hyper-fluorinated gel which, by being released in the mouth, helps prevent the formation of cavities.
Manufacture and fitting of the occlusal splint against bruxism
The development of the anti-bruxism splint
Since the bruxism mouthpiece is custom-made, the dentist must first take an impression of the jaw.
The conventional or digital impression is sent to a laboratory that makes the anti-bruxism splint in plastic or resin.
The dental appointment
When the mouthpiece is made, the dentist checks the adaptation, the ease of insertion and the good balance of the mouthpiece. He makes the necessary adjustments and gives explanations and instructions for the treatment:
- Wear the mouthpiece every night at first,
- Clean the gutter in the morning by scrubbing it with a toothbrush and a little soap,
- Leave the gutter in a bacteriostatic solution during the day,
- Clean the mouthpiece again in the evening before putting it in the mouth.
The use of the dental splint against the clamping of the teeth
The anti-bruxism mouthpiece is usually used only at night, rarely during the day. The dentist usually recommends wearing it every night.
Sometimes it is necessary to return to the dentist to fine-tune the mouthpiece's adjustments. Then, one or two control appointments per year allow to make sure that the mouthpiece is always well positioned in the jaw.
How to maintain an anti-bruxism mouthpiece?
As bacteria and tartar are deposited on its surface, it is necessary to clean the anti-bruxism mouthpiece:
- Every day with a little soap,
- Every week in depth after having let it soak in a special product diluted in a small amount of warm water.
The life span of an anti bruxism mouthpiece varies from one to three years depending on the severity of the disorder.
