Mouth Guards & Protective Wear

Night Guards

Many people are afflicted with bruxism, or teeth grinding.  Some people may do this consciously during the day, but it is a larger problem at night while you are asleep. Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, or irritate your gums.  The noise from teeth grinding can also disturb your spouse's sleep if loud enough.

If you grind your teeth you should consider a night guard.  The night guard, which is very similar in shape to a mouth guard worn by athletes, provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep.  All night guards are custom fitted for comfort and to allow for proper breathing.  Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and have the night guard created by a dental lab.  Night guards are made of a durable acrylic resin and can be used for up to 10 years. 

There are also some things that you can do to try to stop teeth grinding.  You can train your jaw to be free and easy rather than clenched. Refrain from chewing gum or on other objects like pens that can create unnecessary tooth wear. If you suspect you might be grinding your teeth at night set up an appointment with us today.

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Protective Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are an essential piece of equipment in contact sports.  They should be worn by athletes of all ages who participate in sports such as:

• Football
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Wrestling
• Basketball
• Baseball/Softball
• Soccer
• …any sport where contact is a possibility.

Wearing a mouth guard helps prevent against structural damage to your teeth and jaw and also helps prevent injuries such as lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouth guards have also been shown to help decrease the risk of concussions.

Mouth guards are available in most any sporting goods store, but you should be careful when purchasing a mouth guard. Mouth guards like this do not offer the best level of protection. They are also can be ill-fitting and uncomfortable. 

For the highest level of comfort and protection, you should visit your dentist for a custom mouth guard fitting.  A custom mouth guard is created specifically for the optimal protection of YOUR mouth.  It is created with a durable elastomeric material designed to protect your teeth.  The thinness of the custom mouth guard allows for easy breathing and also allows for easy communication (especially important for you star quarterbacks calling out the signals). 

See your dentist today for a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth and ensure that you maintain the highest level of performance on the field, court, or rink.