Dear Sir/Madam,
in March I received my first night guard because I am a very severe bruxer—I do not grind my teeth, but I clench very hard.
The guard is the softer version, 4 mm thick rubber, worn on the upper teeth. After a month and a half I noticed that after using it my tongue, gums and palate burn abnormally—only the areas that are in contact with the guard. (At night my tongue rubs against or touches the guard.) The rubber also became softer, as if this plastic were slowly dissolving in my mouth. I received a new one; it was fine again for 3 weeks, then after a certain period of use the burning sensation returned. My tongue is also very red, and moving it even hurts. Even if the condition settles during the day, as soon as I put the guard in my mouth it literally starts burning. I often can barely fall asleep. I trimmed the guard only slightly in two places because it pressed near the lateral incisors, so that I could wear it.
I am VERY worried about what is happening. Could some toxic substances actually be released into my body? Especially because the plastic becomes thinner with use—the material must be going somewhere, right? The burning is unbearable, but without it I have other problems. In short, a vicious circle. In fact, for the last 2 months I have also been feeling worse, with constant nausea, dizziness.... I am worried that I am poisoning myself. I am also planning a pregnancy and I am terrified that anything might pass to the fetus.
Where can I find out the exact composition of these guards? What substances are used? Is this softer one available only in plastic or are there other materials? I already find it disturbing that people put these artificial materials in their mouths at all... seeing the consequences in myself, I am of course frightened.
Thank you for your answer.