Whether you have nighttime bruxism or you’re experiencing sleep apnea, it’s important to take care of your teeth with a customized dental appliance. This can help to prevent tooth fractures and protect your jaw joint.
Unlike over-the-counter solutions, custom mouthguards fit precisely in your mouth and are made from a hard acrylic material. This helps to prevent you from wanting to continue biting into the soft rubber, which can further exacerbate symptoms such as headache. When teeth are clenched completely together, our muscles are working hard to accomplish this. Our nightguards place your teeth at a slightly open position, which allows your jaw muscles to relax fully.
A nightguard is a custom-made acrylic mouthpiece that is worn to protect the teeth from grinding (bruxing) or clenching, mostly occurring during sleep.
Many people clench and/or grind their teeth and may not even know it. Some people do this every night, and some only do this occasionally. Occasional grinding does not usually cause harm. When grinding occurs on a continual basis, the teeth can be badly damaged and cause other oral health complications. Chronic grinding can also affect your jaw, resulting in possible hearing loss, cause or worsen TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.
Types of Mouthguards
Ready-Made Mouthguards
You may have seen ready-made mouthguards in a department or sporting goods store. These generic mouthguards are inexpensive and readily available. Unfortunately, because they are not custom-fit, they may seem bulky and uncomfortable in your mouth. Ready-made mouthguards are secured by closed jaws which mean speaking and breathing may be difficult.
Mouth-Formed Mouthguards
If you’re looking for something that is a little more custom fit to your mouth, you might consider mouth-formed mouthguards. Acrylic, shell liner mouthguards provide a comfortable and secure fit over your natural teeth. Unfortunately, many users report that this mouthguard can have an unpleasant odor or taste. It can also harden over time and lose its flexibility. Another type of mouth-formed mouthguard, the thermoplastic style, can be customized by heating it in water, then biting it. It will take on the shape of your bite. While these maintain their flexibility, they can feel bulky.
Custom-Made Mouthguards
The best solution, custom-made mouthguards are comfortable, practical, and protective. Your dentist or lab technician creates the custom-made mouthguard after taking impressions of your teeth.Before you purchase any mouthguard, talk to your dentist. Special mouthguards or mouth protectors are recommended for patients with braces, removable bridges or dentures, a protruding jaw, or a cleft palate.
Sportsguards
Helmets, knee pads, shin guards…if you’re an avid athlete or the parent of one, you know the importance of proper protective gear. But did you know that up to 40 percent of all sports injuries involve the face? Protect your smile and mouth with a comfortable, custom-molded mouthguard to dramatically reduce the risk of sports-related oral injury.
While hockey, boxing, and rugby players would obviously benefit from mouthguards, others, like bicyclists, weightlifters, and gymnasts, made the ADA’s list of athletes who need mouthguards. This may sound excessive, but studies show that 13 to 39 percent of all dental injuries are sports related. Because the face is an important part of a person’s image, self confidence, and sometimes success, it’s better to be safe than…toothless!
Before facemasks and mouthguards were required in football, half of all player injuries occurred in the mouth. During the playing season, players had a 1 in 10 chance of mouth injury. Once high schools and colleges began requiring facemasks and mouthguards, the number of injuries reported dropped by 200,000 per year. Naturally, dentists and the ADA recommend mouthguards for adults and children in any recreational activity that poses the risk of injury to your mouth.
Mouthguard Care
Always wear your mouthguard during practice and games. Never chew on it because you may weaken the material and decrease its effectiveness. Holes, tears, and damage to the mouthguard may irritate your gums or soft tissue. If you notice damage, replace your mouthguard immediately.
Before and after each use, check your mouthguard for damage and rinse it with cold water or mouthwash. You should regularly clean your guard with a toothbrush and toothpaste or in a solution of soapy water. Be sure to rinse it well and store it in a firm, perforated container. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight high temperatures.
Most importantly, you should schedule regular dental check-ups, including one rightbefore the playing season starts. When you see your dentist, bring your mouthguard and discuss any problems or concerns you may have. And of course, if you have any questions or concerns regarding Mouthguards or Sportsguards, give us a call at 303-460-9366 so we can guide you in the right direction.