Mouthguards & Night Guards
Mouthguards provide protection to teeth, lips, mouth, and jaw. We strongly recommend the use of mouthguards for kids who play sports—especially contact sports—and night guards for individuals suffering from teeth grinding.
Your Mouthguard and Night Guard Dentist in Savannah, GA
A mouthguard should be considered an essential piece of equipment for every athlete who participates in contact sports and activities—adults and children. A mouthguard cushions the blow when you are hit and can prevent serious injuries that may result in a lifetime of oral health problems. Our mouthguards are custom-made from a lightweight, comfortable, effective material that can be easily inserted and removed when needed. They do not interfere with your regular breathing or speaking.
Night guards are similar to mouthguards but are worn while sleeping to prevent damage from bruxism, a disorder that causes people to unknowingly clench and grind their teeth while asleep. Left untreated, bruxism can result in teeth fractures, breakages, headaches, and jaw pain.
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What are the types of dental mouthguards?
There are three types of mouthguards, 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, sometimes making breathing and talking difficult. Additionally, these types of mouthguards provide minimal protection.
- Boil and bite mouth protectors can also be bought at most sporting goods stores, offering a better fit than stock mouth protectors. This mouthguard is placed in hot water to soften and then in the mouth to shape around the teeth.
- Custom-fitted mouthguards are designed individually and made in the dental office based on your dentist’s instructions. Your dentist will first make an impression on your teeth and then mold the mouthguard over the model. This type of mouthguard provides the most protection and comfort.
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What are options for treating TMJ?
TMJ is a disorder that causes pain in your neck and jaw areas, or/and a clicking noise when you open or close your mouth. It can also limit the range of motion in your jaw.
There are several things you can do to help TMJ, including a temporary night guard, avoiding sharp movements with your jaw, icing your jaw to prevent inflammation, modifying your diet to include softer foods that require less chewing, and practicing relaxations and light stretching techniques to reduce tension in your jaw.
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Why are mouthguards important in sports?
There are several reasons why wearing a mouthguard when playing sports is important. First, mouthguards protect against displacing teeth as they help distribute force over all of your teeth, which prevents one or two teeth from bearing the brunt of the blow. They can also protect against injuries to soft tissues and prevent jaw and tooth fractures. Ultimately, mouthguards may help prevent concussions as the padding could lessen the force between the upper and lower rows of teeth and lessen the force of the jaw as it pushes on the skull.
Need a Mouth Guard?
If you have any questions about mouth guards or for a consultation—contact us today.