MOUTH GUARDS & NIGHT GUARDS
What Is a Mouth Guard?
A properly fitted mouth guard is an important appliance you wear to prevent facial and head injuries while playing sports. They do a lot more than just protect your teeth. A mouth guard not only protects your smile, but it will also prevent injuries to:
Your lips
Cheeks
Tongue
Neck
Brain
Lower jawbone
Temporomandibular joint
Mouth guards help to cushion potential blows during physical sports that might otherwise cause these injuries.
Who Should Wear a Mouth Guard?
You don’t have to be on the hockey rink or football field to benefit from a well-fitted mouth guard. It is recommended that everyone, from children to adults, wear a mouth guard during any recreational activity that could possibly be a risk of injury to the mouth.
If you’re athletic, you should consider getting a mouth guard.
What Is a Night Guard?
A night guard is an appliance you wear while you sleep to prevent you from damaging your teeth by grinding or clenching.
How Is the Night Guard Effective?
A night guard can help to reduce your grinding problems by:
Relaxing your jaw muscles (which will in turn reduce headaches and sore jaws, and balance the forces in your mouth).
Substituting as the wearing material so that your teeth and jaw muscles don’t suffer the consequences—better to grind the night guard than your own tooth enamel!
Who Should Wear a Night Guard?
If you grind your teeth at night, you should consider wearing a night guard appliance.
Where Can I Get a Mouth Guard or Night Guard?
Custom fit night guards and mouth guards are available from your dentist! They are made on models taken of your upper and lower teeth, and can be made using hard or soft material.
How Do I Care for My Mouth Guard or Night Guard?
There are several things you can do to make your guard last longer:
Never bite your guard in place; biting on the guard when it’s out of position can possibly damage the guard, your teeth and gums.
Rinse your guard with cool water after every use.
Be careful not to use hot water, as it may distort the appliance. A gentle, soft toothbrush may be used for cleaning, depending on the guard.
Keep your guard in a safe carrying case while storing. This will protect it from breakage and household pets and also keep it clean.
Make sure to schedule regular dental check-ups. Your dentist will look over the guard and review the amount of wear and its fit! Be sure to bring your mouth guard or night guard to each dental visit.