Night Guard Allergy
18th Nov 2021
Night guards, mouthguards, and oral splints are a highly recommended treatment for bruxism, TMJ disorders, and sleep apnea. However, night guards are only effective if worn consistently. Night guard allergies can interfere with that. After all, itching, stinging, and burning sensations aren't pleasant. Fortunately, you can easily avoid allergy issues by being a smart shopper. When you select a night guard, pay attention to the materials that it's made of and the night guard allergy, and be on the lookout for problematic ingredients. This will help minimize your chances of experiencing an allergic reaction.
Night Guard Materials That Can Cause Allergic Reactions
The authors of an article published in The Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research were fairly blunt in their recommendation: "Allergic reactions are becoming prevalent in the general population, and the materials used for dental filling, orthodontic instruments, etc., must satisfy the biocompatibility specifications since they are indicated for a long time in the oral cavity." In other words, any product that resides in your mouth must adhere to material safety guidelines to avoid allergic reactions. While there is a growing awareness of the potential for allergens in oral appliances, efforts to eliminate allergens have been unsteady. Ultimately, it's up to the buyer to beware of certain materials. This is especially true if you're purchasing a night guard online that might have been made in another country with different rules regarding oversight or quality.
So, which products should you be aware of when purchasing a night guard to avoid night guard allergy? There are a few different possibilities:
- Gluten: As this case study explains, the gluten inside the plasticized methacrylate polymer of a girl's retainer was enough to aggravate her celiac disease. Gluten sensitivities can trigger gastrointestinal troubles, oral ulcers, and a burning tongue.
- Latex Allergy: Allergies to latex range from mild to severe. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms can appear immediately or take a few hours to show. Contact dermatitis is common. The skin that was in contact with the latex will be itchy, red, and inflamed. You may develop a rash. If your allergy is severe, you may develop hives, wheeze, or have trouble breathing. If this occurs, seek emergency medical assistance.
- BPA: Bisphenol A has been linked to a long list of nasty health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, infertility, obesity, asthma, thyroid issues, hypertension, and more, according to Healthline. While there is not extensive data available, ordering a BPA-free mouth guard means you won't have to worry about these risks.
- Acrylic Night Guard Allergy: Many dental guards, especially the hard night guards, are crafted from acrylic. A few people are sensitive to some of the chemicals inside the acrylic. The problems generally are triggered by exposure to monomers or peroxides, which can cause stomach upset or skin irritation.
Related Articles:
- Dental Night Guard Side Effects
- How Do I Know If My Night Guard Fits Properly
- Wearing a Night Guard: Pros and Cons
- Most Popular
- Hard Outside, Soft Inside
- 2MM Thick
- Moderate / Heavy
- Most Durable
- Hard Materials
- 1.5MM Thick
- Heavy / Severe
- For Day Time Use
- Thin, Barely Visible
- 1MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
- For Clenching
- Flexible & Soft
- 1.5MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
Which Mouthguard is the Safest?
Mouthguards are very effective in treating bruxism, so don't let concerns about possible night guard allergy stop you from using one to protect your dental health. Instead, make it a point to be a smart consumer and purchase your dental guard from a trusted source. Custom dental night guards made from FDA-approved materials in a professional dental lab are the safest option.
Over-the-Counter vs. Custom Fit Night Guards
When it comes to night guards, there are a few different kinds available. Your first choice will be between an over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all option or a custom-fit option. If you're concerned about allergens and material safety, you should select a custom-fit night guard. Over-the-counter guards are not made to be worn for 8 hours a night, and thus are generally not made from the highest quality materials. A quality custom-fit mouthguard provides greater comfort and durability, so you receive a much higher value product. You can purchase a custom mouth guard through your dentist or an online retailer.
Not all custom night guards are created equal. Be sure to do your homework before making your purchase. Check that the night guard is gluten-free, BPA-free, and latex-free. In addition, it should be made from nontoxic materials that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and used by the dental industry. Remember, you're going to be putting this device in your mouth for roughly eight hours each night. If the company can't confirm that their night guards are made from FDA-approved materials, then you might want to take your business elsewhere.
Related Articles:
Night Guard Allergy Symptoms
"Allergic reaction to the components of the oral device can occur in any patient with any device," according to the Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine. Because the oral cavity has very thin mucosa, it's more vulnerable to topical allergens than skin. When a reaction occurs, it generally happens in the tissue or skin that a device comes in contact with. If a nightguard sparks a problem, patients may experience issues on the tongue, the lips, the lining of the cheeks, around the teeth, or in other areas inside the mouth. Although allergic reactions in response to mouthguards is uncommon, it is helpful to arm yourself with the knowledge of potentially harmful materials to avoid them when purchasing.
Some side effects of an allergic reaction include:
- Dryness
- Stinging, itching, or burning sensations
- Contact Dermatitis: As Mayo Clinic explains, contact dermatitis is a red, itchy breakout caused by either direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. It can cause bumps, ulcers, and swelling, but it generally goes away when you stop contact with whatever is causing the irritation.
- Oral Thrush: This is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. It typically isn't a problem for healthy people. However, people with weakened immune systems or other conditions in their medical history that make them vulnerable may notice white patches in their mouth, a sore throat, a cottony feeling in their mouth, or difficulty swallowing.
Related Articles:
Night Guard Allergies
If it's left untreated, bruxism can wreak havoc on your oral health and trigger jaw pain, facial soreness, earaches, headaches, and various other discomforts. Night guards are consistently recommended as a great tool for taming teeth grinding. If you have concerns about night guard allergies, then be sure to shop with those concerns in mind. You can find retailers who are happy to answer your questions about night guard materials. We know because we do it here regularly at Pro Teeth Guard. In fact, you can find our material safety information here. All of our night guards are made from FDA-approved materials in a professional dental lab. They're effectively the same mouthguards that you’d receive from a dentist. Plus, you'll enjoy convenient online shopping, affordable pricing, and the peace of mind of our 110% money-back guarantee.
References:
- Cleveland Clinic Writing Staff. (2020). Latex allergy: What it is, symptoms, prevention. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8623-latex-allergy
- Demko, G. B. (2014). Patient Complaint of “Sore Mouth” after Placement of a Mandibular Advancement Device: What Do You Do? Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine. https://www.aadsm.org/docs/JDSM.01.02.97.pdf
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Contact Dermatitis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/contact-dermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352742
- Memon, Z., Baker, S. S., Khan, A., Hashmi, H., & Gelfond, D. (2013). An orthodontic retainer preventing remission in celiac disease. Clinical pediatrics, 52(11), 1034–1037. https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922813506254
- Syed, M., Chopra, R., & Sachdev, V. (2015). Allergic Reactions to Dental Materials-A Systematic Review. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR, 9(10), ZE04–ZE9. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2015/15640.6589
- Most Popular
- Hard Outside, Soft Inside
- 2MM Thick
- Moderate / Heavy
- Most Durable
- Hard Materials
- 1.5MM Thick
- Heavy / Severe
- For Day Time Use
- Thin, Barely Visible
- 1MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
- For Clenching
- Flexible & Soft
- 1.5MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
