Custom Mouth Guards

What you need to know:

Mouth guards serve various purposes, addressing conditions ranging from teeth grinding to sleep apnea. These protective devices also play a crucial role in safeguarding your mouth during sports activities, shielding you from potential injuries. You can purchase ready-made mouthguards from stores, or for a personalized fit and enhanced effectiveness, you can choose to have them custom-made by a dentist.
Custom Mouth Guard for Sports

What is a mouth guard?

Mouth guards are special dental devices designed to cover and protect your teeth. Dentists recommend them for various reasons, and there are several types available. Both children and adults can find value in using mouth guards.

Typically, these guards are crafted to fit over your upper teeth. However, depending on your specific needs, your dentist might suggest a mouth guard for your lower teeth.
Custom mouth guard for sports and teeth grinding – dentist-designed for a perfect fit.

What does a mouth guard do?

Dentists recommend mouth guards for many different reasons. You might need one if you:
  • Play contact sports such as basketball, footballball, soccer or boxing.
  • Grind or clench your teeth
  • Participate in activities with a high fall risk, such as Biking, gymnastics or ice skating.
  • Have obstructive sleep apnea.

Are there various kinds of mouth guards?

There are three primary types of mouth guards, classified based on their purposes:

1. Mouth guards for sports

These mouth guards shield your teeth from injuries during sports activities. Whether you engage in boxing, wrestling, soccer, basketball, or football, wearing a mouth guard significantly lowers the chances of experiencing chipped or knocked-out teeth.

2. Mouth guards for grinding teeth

These devices are essential in safeguarding teeth from the consequences of grinding and clenching, potentially alleviating the effects of TMJ disorders. They are versatile enough to be worn at any time—whether day or night. However, since many individuals tend to grind or clench their teeth while sleeping, using them primarily during the night is common.

3. Snoring and sleep apnea mouth guards

Individuals with persistent snoring or obstructive sleep apnea can find relief through a personalized mouth guard. This specialized device works by adjusting and repositioning the jaw, facilitating the opening of the airway while you sleep.

 

 

In addition, mouth guards may be store-bought or custom-made:

Store-bought

There are primarily two types of mouth guards available for purchase in stores. The first type is Stock, which you wear straight out of the box as it comes. The second type is Boil-and-Bite, allowing for some customization at home. While store-bought guards are more budget-friendly, they fall short in effectiveness compared to custom-made mouth guards, particularly in providing optimal protection against teeth grinding or sports-related injuries. Additionally, they are not suitable for addressing sleep apnea concerns.

Custom-made

A dentist crafts this mouth guard to perfectly match your unique dental structure. Thanks to their tailored design, custom-made mouth guards offer a higher comfort level than their store-bought counterparts. These personalized guards are highly effective in protecting both teeth grinding (bruxism) and injuries related to sports activities.

Risks / Benefits of wearing a mouth guard?

Using a mouth guard while participating in contact sports and physical activities can assist in preventing...

  • Knocked-out teeth.

  • Damage to your tooth pulp.

  • Soft-tissue injury to your gums, lips and inner cheeks.

Wearing a mouth guard while you sleep can help reduce your risk...

  • Snoring.

  • Jaw pain, headaches, facial pain and other symptoms of TMJ disorder.

  • Wear and tear from clenching or grinding your teeth.

How do I care for a mouth guard?

Mouth guards can harbor bacteria from your mouth, so cleaning your teeth thoroughly before using one is important. Here are some guidelines on how to clean your mouth guard:

  • Avoid exposing your mouth guard to extreme heat, such as direct sunlight or hot water, as this can cause warping and changes in shape.

  • After each use, rinse your mouth guard in cool water and clean it with a brush and soapy water. Allow it to air dry.

  • Store your mouth guard out of reach of dogs and other pets.

Our custom mouth guards are designed to protect your teeth during sports and prevent damage from grinding. We create custom-fit mouth guards tailored to your bite, ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Learn more about the benefits of custom mouth guards and how they protect teeth during sports and sleep.

Affleck Dental

Restoration & Prosthodontics
466 N Main Street, STE 100
Clearfield, UT 84015

p. 801.614.7013

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