Do Over-the-Counter Dental Guards Improve Sleep?

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If you wake up with a sore jaw or exhausted from poor sleep, can a nighttime dental guard help with teeth grinding and/or snoring?

Over-the-Counter Dental Guard May Help

If your bed partner or sleep app, confirms that you don’t sleep like a baby, an over-the-counter (OTC) dental guard may help. They're available at your local health and beauty store (pictured above), or a popular brand like Zypphah, and may be a simple and cost-effective solution to your problem.

However, according to Dr. Gloria Stern, Fairfield dentist and TMJ and sleep disorder specialist, if the OTC dental guard doesn’t make a difference, a custom oral appliance is likely needed. Dr. Stern says, “Mail order or drug store dental guards don’t work well for those that gnash their teeth violently. They don’t fit as well as a custom oral appliance, and won’t last as long. OTC dental guards also lose their shape faster than custom oral appliances. For some it can be a ‘penny wise pound foolish’ scenario. When you choose an over-the-counter dental guard to save money, in the end, constantly replacing it, and having to spend lots of time and money to fix residual dental work, and/or life impacting health issues, will be much more expensive.”

Custom Dental Guard to Improve Sleep

The Center for Sleep and TMJ Disorders of Fairfield is a great place to start your exploration of improving your sleep, by determining if you need a dental guard, and receive a fit that's as unique as you are. Book an appointment today with Dr. Gloria Stern to find the right treatment that matches your dental guard and sleep needs.

About Dr. Gloria Maczuga-Stern

Dr. Gloria Maczuga-Stern has practiced general dentistry in New York and Connecticut for 19 years. Her own personal experience with TMD led her to pursue further training for her pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. At the Center for Sleep & TMJ Disorders she has been providing conservative, non-invasive treatment to patients with sleep breathing and temporomandibular joint disorders since 2008.

Dr. Stern strives to provide her patients with the highest level of care. Passionate about continuous education, she has over 2,500 hours of advanced education including orofacial pain, tmj disorders, and sleep disorder dentistry. As a result she is able to offer her patients the latest advancements in this field.

Dr. Stern received advanced training in temporomandibular disorders and sleep disorder dentistry from the Institute of TMD and Sleep Disorders and the Craniofacial Pain Center at Tufts University, and is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine as well as a Certificate holder of the of American Academy of Integrative Pain Management.

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