Mouth Guards for Sports and Sleep Apnea

Mouth guards are essential for minimizing tooth and jaw injuries in kids who play sports. They can also help people who unintentionally grind their teeth at night (bruxism) to relieve jaw pain and improve sleep quality.

Custom mouthguards are crafted by dentists from thermoplastic material and are designed based on a mold of the individual's mouth and teeth. They are more expensive than stock and boil and bite mouthguards but provide the best protection against injury.

Custom Mouthguards

Mouthguards are recommended for anyone who plays sports or participates in recreational activities that have a high risk of facial injuries. These mouth protectors protect the cheeks, gums, teeth, and tongue from trauma during competition and practice. In addition, they are commonly used to help prevent teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw pain.

Stock mouthguards are inexpensive and can be purchased at any sporting goods store or most pharmacies. These mouth guards lake Mary FL are made ready to wear and cannot be adjusted or modified in any way. They are also bulky and make it difficult to talk or breathe. They offer very little protection in comparison to a custom mouthguard.

Boil and bite mouthguards are another option available over-the-counter. They are a thermoplastic mouthguard that is heated to soften and then inserted into the mouth for molding to the teeth and mouth. These provide a slightly better fit than the stock mouthguards, but are not as comfortable as a dentist-fabricated mouthguard.

Night Guards

The clenching and grinding of teeth at night, called bruxism, is a common condition that can lead to jaw pain, headaches, tooth wear, tooth enamel damage, and other health problems. A mouthguard is an easy, noninvasive treatment that can help alleviate these symptoms and reduce the stress on the jaw joint, which helps to prevent additional damage.

Stock mouthguards, which can be purchased at most sporting goods stores and some pharmacies, offer little in the way of adjustment or customization. Boil and bite mouthguards, on the other hand, are made from a soft material that is placed in hot water to create a flexible, comfortable fit, and can be shaped using fingers and tongue pressure.

Mouth guards can protect the teeth and gums from injury, especially if you or your child participates in any kind of contact sport, such as football, boxing, basketball, lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, skating and skiing or snowboarding. They can also be helpful for people with snoring or sleep apnea, as they reposition the jaw to open the airway.

Sports Mouthguards

Many sports injuries to the mouth, teeth and jaw can be prevented or reduced with a custom mouthguard. Teeth that aren't protected in contact sports can crack, break or even fall out completely. A cracked tooth is a dental emergency and must be treated immediately. Other common sports related injuries include lacerations to the lips, gums and inner cheeks as well as damage to orthodontics and other fixed appliances.

Stock mouthguards are inexpensive and available at most sporting goods stores and pharmacies. They are generally bulky, making breathing and speaking difficult and they offer very little protection. Boil and bite mouthguards are made of thermoplastic material that is softened in hot water before biting down on it, molding it to the teeth. These mouthguards provide a better fit and offer more protection than stock mouthguards.

Our dentists can fabricate a custom mouthguard for any sports or athletic activity, based on a detailed mold of your teeth and bite. This is the best option for providing the most comfort and protection possible.

Teeth Grinding

Mouth guards protect the teeth and gums from serious injury in any number of sports activities. Whether your child is playing football, boxing or just intramurals, a mouth guard reduces the chance of dental injuries like chipped or knocked out teeth, laceration to the tongue and lips and jaw fractures. These mouthguards are also ideal for those who grind their teeth or suffer from sleep apnea, as they reposition the jaw to help open the airway.

Unlike pre-made or “boil-and-bite” mouthguards, custom mouthguards are crafted by our dentist from thermoplastic material based on a detailed mold of your mouth and teeth. These are typically the most expensive, but offer the most precise fit and protection against injuries to the mouth and teeth. To get the most out of your child's mouthguard, rinse and scrub it regularly with a toothbrush and store it in a clean case. It should be brought to every dental checkup to ensure it is still in good condition.

Our team is dedicated to helping you maintain great dental hygiene one visit at a time. Don’t wait. Call our office today and help your pearly whites stay as beautiful as possible.