Mouth Guards
As an athlete, you need the best gear possible. We offer top-quality athletic mouth guards to protect your teeth whenever you practice or compete.
Mouth Guards and Night Guards
A mouth guard should be considered an essential piece of equipment for every athlete who participates in contact sports and activities—adults and children both. A mouth guard cushions the blow when you are hit and can prevent serious injuries that may result in a lifetime of oral health problems. Our mouth guards are custom made from a lightweight material that is both comfortable and strong. They can also be easily inserted and removed when needed. They do not interfere with your regular breathing or speaking.
Night guards are similar to mouth guards but are worn while sleeping to prevent damage from a disorder that causes you to unknowingly clench and grind your teeth while you are asleep. This disorder is called bruxism and leaving it untreated can result in teeth fractures, breakages, headaches, and jaw pain.
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What are the types of dental mouth guards?
There are three types of mouth guards, which are listed below:
- Stock mouth protectors that come ready to wear. These are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting goods stores. However, you cannot adjust their fit, they tend to be bulky and sometimes make breathing and talking difficult. Additionally, these types of mouth guards provide minimal protection.
- Boil and bite mouth protectors can also be bought at most sporting goods stores and offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. This type of mouth guard is placed in hot water to soften and then placed in the mouth to shape around the teeth.
- Custom-fitted mouth guards are designed individually and made in the dental office based on your dentist’s instructions. Your dentists will first make an impression of your teeth and then mold the mouth guard over the model. This type of mouth guard provides the most protection and comfort.
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What is TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) and what are options for treating it?
TMD is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that causes pain in your neck and jaw areas and may or may not be accompanied by a clicking noise when you open or close your mouth. It can also limit the range of motion of your lower jaw.
There are several things you can do to help with TMD, including wearing a specially designed Night Guard, avoiding exaggerated movements with your jaw, icing your jaw to prevent inflammation, modifying your diet to include softer foods that require less chewing, and practicing light stretching techniques to reduce tension in your muscles and jaw joints.
Learn About TMJ Exercises -
Why are mouth guards important in sports?
There are several reasons why wearing a mouth guard when playing sports is a good idea. First, mouth guards protect against teeth being traumatically knocked out or moved as they help distribute forces over all of your teeth – kind of like a shock absorber. They can also protect against injuries to the gums/lips and prevent jaw and teeth fractures. Additionally, research has shown that custom mouth guards have helped reduce the occurrence of concussions.
Need A Mouth Guard?
If you have any questions about mouth guards or for a consultation—contact us today.