Teeth Grinding and The Risk of Mail-Order Treatment

We can do it all online. With the click of a button, we can shop for groceries, deposit a check and even get medical advice. Relying on the Internet to address your health concerns, however, is always a risky matter, even when it involves your dental health. One of the latest trends in dentistry is “mail-order appliances.” From teeth grinding to orthodontics, patients can simply go online and have their appliance delivered directly to their doorstep, without ever seeing a dentist.

At Majestic Studio, we strongly warn our patients about the serious risks and dangers of using mail-order dental appliances to treat TMJ, snoring or teeth grinding. These virtual dental treatments may have a lower upfront price tag, but they can often cause more harm than good and lead to costly treatments in the future.

Here are some of the most common concerns about ordering your nighttime mouthguards off the internet:

Neglected Sleep Apnea

While not always, teeth grinding and snoring are often associated with sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep condition that must be diagnosed by a medical professional. When treating its symptoms alone (through a snoring or bruxism appliance), you may be ignoring a sleep condition that can threaten your overall health and quality of life.

More Harm Than Good

When it comes to nighttime teeth grinding, many online consumers will receive a boil-and-bite mouth guard to tackle the problem. These models are often made of soft, squishy material that can further stimulate the act of grinding or clenching instead of stopping it. Some may end up with worsening TMJ problems.

Not FDA Approved

Many of the appliances that are available online are marketing scams and not approved by the FDA. This should always pose a red flag when it comes to its safety and effectiveness.

Not Customized or Monitored

A dentist takes advanced imaging and precisely calculated measurements of your unique bite before making your appliance. There’s no possible way to get this kind of customization from a DIY mouthguard you get online. In addition, your ongoing treatment will not be monitored by a dentist, which neglects any changes in your jaw, gums or teeth that should alter your treatment or take precedence over your bruxism problem.

Get Face to Face Treatment in Lodi

At Majestic Smile Studio, we encourage you to avoid the temptation to handle your dental concerns on the same website you handle your grocery list. Mail-orders are not ideal for everything, particularly your oral health. When it comes to teeth grinding, snoring or other dental problems, don’t cheat yourself with online ads or bargains. Please schedule an in-person appointment with us to get the safe, effective and personalized treatment you deserve.