How to Wear a Bite Splint

A bite splint is a device worn in the mouth over the upper and/or lower teeth to correct jaw joint alignment or to stop teeth grinding at night. Bite splints are also known as night guards, bite guards, bite appliances and brux guards. There are correct ways to wear your bite splint to get the results your dentist wants and to keep your teeth healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Bite splint
• Dental floss
• Toothpaste
• Tooth brush
• Jar
• Water
• Dental appointment

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Instructions

• 1

  Brush and floss your teeth before putting in your bite splint. If you have food on your teeth, you may develop cavities easier with your bite splint by trapping the bacteria against your teeth.

• 2

  Wear your bite splint the amount of hours per day that your dentist recommends. The amount of time you wear your bite splint will be determined by the reason you are wearing it. If you are wearing the bite splint for teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, you will wear the bite splint only at night. If you are wearing the bite splint to correct jaw alignment, also known as temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), you may need to wear the bite splint 24 hours a day.

• 3

  Get used to your bite splint by wearing it at night only for a few days. At first your bite splint will feel uncomfortable, but you will get used to it. Your bite splint is made of hard or soft plastic and is designed to reposition the jaw or keep you from grinding down your teeth. After a couple of days, wear the bite splint as directed by your dentist.

• 4

  Take your bite splint out of your mouth when you eat. Do not chew gum with it in your mouth. When you take your bite splint out of your mouth, put it in a jar of water to keep the plastic supple and moist. Do not use hot water because this can reshape a soft plastic bite splint.

• 5

  Brush your bite splint before you put it in your mouth. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush the entire bite splint surface. If your bite splint starts to yellow ask your dentist for a special solution to soak it in to clean it.

• 6

  Go in to your dentist for regular appointments to have your bite splint and jaw checked. Remember to bring your bite splint to your appointments. Make a special appointment with your dentist if your bite splint tears so you can get a new one made and stay on your treatment plan.