- With Mayo Clinic prosthodontist
Alan Carr, D.M.D.
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Alan Carr, D.M.D.
Alan B. Carr, D.M.D.
Dr. Alan B. Carr, Department of Dental Specialties at Mayo Clinic, is a consultant in the Division of Prosthodontics and a professor of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Dr. Carr, a native of Hattiesburg, MS., received his prosthodontics training at Mayo. Following his training he has was an assistant professor at Marquette University and then became a full professor at Ohio State University where his clinical duties included Director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics at the James Cancer Hospital. He returned to Mayo in 2000.
Dr. Carr is board certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. He served in the Air Force and has degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He also is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Dental Association. He has made dozens of international and national presentations, and is author of a dental textbook.
His clinical practice focuses on combined prosthodontics and reconstruction of patients with disabling oral conditions. His research interests include oral and craniofacial endosseous implants, tobacco cessation, and the impact of oral health on general health, especially for patients with chronic illness and the elderly.
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Question
Dental night guards: Can they help prevent teeth grinding?
I grind my teeth at night and wake up with headaches and jaw pain. Would a dental night guard help?
Answer
from Alan Carr, D.M.D.
Dentists sometimes recommend dental night guards to prevent teeth grinding (bruxism), but there's conflicting evidence regarding their use. Studies show that dental night guards or dental appliances (splints) can protect the teeth and prevent tooth wear. But such devices may not help prevent teeth grinding itself or its symptoms, such as joint tenderness, jaw pain and headaches.
If you experience teeth grinding while sleeping — or have other signs or symptoms of this condition — be sure to see your dentist. He or she can diagnose the condition and help you decide on treatment options. If you decide to try a dental night guard, consider the following points for best results:
- Choose a custom-fit device. Your dentist can make a custom mouth guard to fit your mouth. Over-the-counter dental night guards are available and they're less expensive than custom guards, but they generally don't fit well and can dislodge during teeth grinding.
- Choose a night guard that fits over all of your upper or lower teeth. A full-size splint gives you something to bite into and is less likely to shift during the night.
- Avoid soft night guards. These devices break down more quickly than harder night guards. Also, soft night guards generally don't fit well and can dislodge during teeth grinding. A hard acrylic night guard is sturdier and may offer better results.
- Follow your dentist's instructions. Place the guard in your mouth as instructed and wear it every night.
- Be careful if you have other sleep disorders. A dental night guard isn't recommended if you have sleep apnea because it can worsen nighttime symptoms. Be sure to tell your dentist if you have a sleep disorder.
- Macedo CR, et al. Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007:CD005514.
- Lavigne GL, et al. Sleep bruxism. In: Kryger MH, et al. Principals and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2005:946.
- Klasser GD, et al. Oral appliances in the management of temporomandibular disorders. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics. 2009;107:214.
- Carr AB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 24, 2009.
