Mouthguard

Mouthguards are dental devices that cover your teeth to help protect your teeth, gums, tongue and cheek from trauma - such as teeth grinding or sport injuries.

There are two main categories of mouthguards:

• Guards used to protect your teeth from sport trauma
• Guards made for patients who suffer from bruxism/teeth grinding.

You get four main types of mouthguards:

• Custom fitted: Dentist uses a mold impression of your teeth to custom make your mouthguard. Usually used for patients with bruxism.
• Boil-and-bite: Patients can shape a mouthguard at home by placing the mouthguard, specially from thermoplastic material, in hot boiling water. Once softened, place inside your mouth and bite down for 20 seconds so that the mouthguard molds your teeth structure.
• Over the counter mouthguards: adjustable night guards that include sliding pieces, which rest between your teeth while you sleep.
• Stock: made as a oce size fits all guard and usually fits bulky on your teeth, since it is not specifically made for your unique teeth structure.

IMPORTANCE OF A MOUTHGUARD:

• Avoid nerve damage
• Can help avoid cracked/chipped teeth in sports
• Helps to avoid soft-tissue damage to lips, gums, tongue and inside cheeks.