Mouth Guards and Night Guards

Mouth Guards and Night Guards

As the name suggests, mouthguards are required to save your precious teeth from damage during a rough sporting event or tooth grinding while you are sleeping. The two categories are different and are referred to as mouthguards and night guards. Since prevention is better than cure, most sportsmen need mouthguards to avoid injuries, abrasions, bruising, etc. These guards cover both the teeth and the gums and avoid trauma. They also help in the treatment of bruxism (known as teeth grinding while sleeping).

Mouthguards are capable of salvaging the tongue and cheeks while playing contact sports wherein a lot of people get injured. The mouthguards are made from soft plastic and prevent a plethora of dental injuries, such as chipping, the fracturing of the crown, lip cuts, cheek cuts, root damage, concussion and jaw fracture. Athletes and people involved in hobby sports need to secure their teeth with these guards.

The use of mouthguards is not new, and you can find stock mouth protectors in various shops that sell sports gear as well as speciality stores. These are quite cheap but are difficult to adjust over the teeth. Also, they have some inbuilt weight which makes talking and breathing a task. The worst part is that they are not a sound protective covering for your teeth and should be avoided at all costs.

The next category is boil-and-bite mouthguards which are again readily available in the market and are made from thermoplastic which allows better adjustment.They first need to be put in boiling water to soften the material and are then placed on the teeth to take their shape with the help of pressure created by your fingers.Customised mouthguards are the third category which is developed by a professional dentist in the lab after taking an impression of your teeth.

The mouthguard is created from a mould designed from the impression using high-quality material. These fit snugly over your teeth and offer maximum protection from injuries.Our qualified dentists in Hope Island are skilled in making tailored mouthguards which are utterly comfortable to wear and use, especially for people suffering from bruxism that helps to avoid tooth damage. They are a bit expensive but are most potent among all the other options.

Mouthguards are compulsory for people involved in collision sports including hockey, football and boxing. If you play other sports like basketball, wrestling, volleyball, skateboarding, gymnastics, etc., you may find them useful. Children playing these sports in schools or clubs should also wear them to stay safe. The thickness of the mouthguards made for athletes is higher as they have to deal with high impact situations. Some professionals even get the colour of the mouthguards customised to match with their jersey’s colour.

Your dentist is the best person to suggest whether you need a guard for the lower jaw or not. Usually, mouthguards are worn on the upper teeth only. A custom-made mouthguard is long-lasting, and there is no difficulty in taking them out and fitting them back in the mouth. You can also clean them easily, and they do not interfere with talking or breathing.

You must remember that these are not a permanent fixture and must be worn only during the practice matches and sporting events. You must avoid chewing the guards while playing as it can lead to cracks in the plastic. An experienced and seasoned dentist in Hope Island will make sure that the mouthguard fits perfectly around your teeth and doesn’t have any sharp ends that can scratch your cheeks or hurt your gums. Always brush and floss your teeth before wearing the mouthguard to maintain proper hygiene.Check the mouthguard for cracks or holes and bring it to the attention of your dentist.

These are not permanent and need to be replaced after they become weak or are worn out. After taking them off, you must rinse them with cold water and use toothbrush and toothpaste to clean it. Always put them back in the container which should be stored at room temperature. The container must have some ventilation so that the guard dries up before the next use. Don’t keep the container within reach of kids and pets. If you are facing any issues or discomfort with the use of the mouthguards, you must consult your dentist without fail.

Bruxism or unconscious night grinding of teeth affects ten to fifteen per cent of adults. You may be suffering from the problem if you tend to wake up with a sore jaw or pain in your teeth without any apparent cause. It occurs due to the clenching or grinding of teeth and leads to loosening of teeth over time. If not treated for a long time, it can lead to the destruction of the bone underneath or the surrounding gums.

It is difficult to detect the condition until someone notices the grinding noise while you are sleeping or your dentist notices fractured tooth enamel.Our dentists in Hope Island can design tailored night guards that fit your upper jaw and stop you from grinding your teeth. Besides using the night guard, you need to reduce stress from your life as it can be a reason behind the problem.

The material used in our night guards is in compliance with the industry standards and is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The night guard works as a wall between the upper jaw and the lower jaw and thus stops the destruction of the tooth enamel. We take care of your individual needs while designing the guard and make sure that it does not lead to bigger problems like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. These guards should be only made by a dentist as they must fit perfectly on your jaw.

Besides bruxism, mouth guards are also used in some specific cases of sleep apnea and snoring. It does not cure the disorder but helps in easing the discomfort. During sleep apnea, the patient stops breathing while sleeping temporarily, which can increase the chances of a stroke or heart disease. Patients with severe conditions need a CPAP machine while those with a mild problem can be recommended to wear a mouth guard by their doctor. This tailored guard brings the lower jaw and tongue forward and opens up the airway.

The vibrations in the upper airway cause snoring, which can be controlled with the help of a mouth guard which keeps the airway open. A dentist in Hope Island can design a custom-made guard that reduces snoring. So contact us right away to book an appointment and get your teeth examined.