Dental Mouthguards
Also known as night guards or occlusal guards, mouthguards are protective coverings for your teeth. We make custom-fitted mouthguards for our patients; this provides our patients with the most comfortable and optimal protection for their individual needs.
Who Needs a Mouthguard?
We custom make mouthguards for both adults and children, and for a variety of reasons:
Mouthguards can protect your teeth if you play contact sports like football, soccer, and hockey or are involved in any activity where a mouth injury is also likely to occur; gymnastics and skateboarding, to name just a couple, fall into this category.
People who grind or clench their teeth at night would benefit from a custom-made mouthguard. Not only would a mouthguard protect their teeth, but also it helps protect the lining of the cheeks and the tongue. The mouthguard keeps the top and bottom teeth separated so they are not damaged by the grinding or clenching action.
People who suffer from sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that causes a person to temporarily stop breathing while they are sleeping, can use a special mouthguard. The mouthguard helps them by pushing their lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping their airway open.
If you snore, mouthguards can also help; they work similarly to the mouthguards used for sleep apnea. Both types keep your airways open by pulling your lower jaw forward.
If you wear braces or have other fixed dental appliances, a mouthguard will help protect them while you are playing sports. Similarly, your mouth will also be protected from the sharp edges of your braces at night. If you wear braces on your upper and lower teeth, mouthguards can be made to cover them both.
Mouthguards can also be used by people as a tray that delivers teeth whitening gel, or medication for oral conditions. Using a mouthguard for these purposes, keeps the medicine and gel in the intended place and for a longer period of time.
How to Care for Your Mouthguard
In order to protect your teeth and extend the life of your custom-made mouthguard, follow these simple instructions:
Keep your mouthguard clean; it will be in your mouth often! You can keep it clean by rinsing it with mouthwash before putting it in your mouth and after taking it out. We also recommend brushing your mouthguard with toothpaste before and after use. You should avoid using hot water, as this may distort the shape of your mouthguard.
Keep your mouthguard in the container we provide you with whenever it is not in use. This will protect your mouthguard from damage and prolong its life.
Bring your mouthguard with you to your dental appointments so we can make sure the custom fit is maintained. In between scheduled appointments, check your mouthguard for damage. If it becomes damaged, it may need to be replaced.
Brush and floss your teeth before using your mouthguard, especially before using at night time.
Schedule a consultation with us to discuss getting a custom mouthguard, or call us with any questions you have regarding mouthguards or any of our other services.