Custom mouthguards and nightguards help protect teeth from sports injuries, grinding, clenching, and excessive wear. Locust Family Dentistry provides personalized protective appliances for children and adults in Locust and surrounding communities. Each appliance fits the patient’s mouth and addresses a specific concern.
Although sports mouthguards and nightguards may look similar, they serve different purposes. A sports mouthguard cushions the teeth and nearby tissues against impact. In contrast, a nightguard creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth while you sleep. Your dentist will evaluate your needs before recommending an appliance.
Custom Sports Mouthguards
Contact and collision sports can place teeth, lips, cheeks, and jaws at risk of injury. A sports mouthguard helps absorb and distribute the force of an impact. As a result, it can reduce the likelihood or severity of certain dental injuries.
Athletes may benefit from a mouthguard when participating in activities such as:
- Football
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Baseball and softball
- Hockey
- Wrestling
- Lacrosse
- Martial arts
- Gymnastics
- Skateboarding or similar activities
However, dental injuries can occur in almost any activity that involves physical contact, falls, flying equipment, or fast movement. Therefore, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard even when a sports organization does not require one.
Why Choose a Custom Sports Mouthguard?
Patients can purchase stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards from many stores. While these products may provide some protection, their fit and comfort can vary. A custom mouthguard uses an impression or digital scan of your teeth to create an appliance shaped specifically for your mouth.
A secure fit can make the mouthguard easier to keep in place. Additionally, a properly designed appliance may interfere less with breathing and speaking than a loose or bulky option. Athletes are also more likely to wear protection consistently when it feels comfortable.
Children and teenagers may need replacement mouthguards as their teeth and jaws develop. Likewise, adults may need a new appliance after significant dental treatment or changes in their bite.
Nightguards for Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, involves moving or pressing the teeth against one another. Clenching occurs when someone holds the teeth together with force. These habits often happen during sleep, so patients may not realize they are doing them.
Possible signs of nighttime grinding or clenching include:
- Flattened, chipped, or worn teeth
- Small cracks in teeth or restorations
- Jaw fatigue or tightness
- Morning headaches
- Sensitive teeth
- Soreness around the face or temples
- Indentations along the tongue or cheeks
- A grinding sound noticed by a sleeping partner
These symptoms can also have other causes. For this reason, your dentist will examine your teeth, restorations, bite, and jaw before recommending a nightguard.
How Does a Nightguard Help?
A nightguard places a durable protective layer between the upper and lower teeth. This barrier helps reduce direct tooth-to-tooth contact and may limit additional wear or damage. However, a nightguard does not necessarily stop the grinding habit itself.
The design and material will depend on your bite, dental condition, and treatment goals. Some patients wear an appliance over the upper teeth, while others benefit from a lower appliance. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate design after evaluating your mouth.
A protective nightguard also differs from appliances designed specifically for sleep apnea or certain jaw disorders. Patients experiencing jaw pain can learn more about our TMJ/TMD treatment. Likewise, patients with snoring or possible sleep apnea should receive an appropriate evaluation rather than relying on a standard nightguard.
What to Expect When Receiving a Custom Appliance
First, your dentist will examine your teeth and discuss your symptoms, activities, and treatment goals. Next, the team will capture the shape of your teeth with an impression or digital scan. A dental laboratory or appropriate fabrication process will then use that information to create your appliance.
Once the appliance is ready, the dental team will evaluate its fit and make adjustments when necessary. We will also explain how to insert, remove, clean, and store it. Bring the appliance to future dental exams so the team can check its fit and condition.
Caring for Your Mouthguard or Nightguard
Proper care can keep your appliance cleaner and help extend its useful life. Follow the instructions provided with your specific guard. In general, patients should:
- Rinse the appliance after each use
- Clean it with the recommended products and methods
- Allow it to dry before placing it in its case
- Store it away from heat, direct sunlight, and pets
- Inspect it regularly for cracks, rough areas, or distortion
- Avoid chewing on the appliance
- Bring it to dental appointments for evaluation
Do not use hot water unless your dental team specifically approves it, since heat may distort some materials. Additionally, contact the office if the guard becomes uncomfortable, loose, damaged, or difficult to clean.
When Should You Replace a Protective Appliance?
The lifespan of a mouthguard or nightguard varies according to the material, frequency of use, grinding intensity, growth, and changes in dental treatment. Children may outgrow sports mouthguards quickly, while heavy grinders may wear through a nightguard sooner than expected.
Replace the appliance when it no longer fits securely or develops significant wear, cracks, sharp edges, or distortion. Furthermore, crowns, bridges, orthodontic treatment, or other changes to your teeth may require a new guard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mouthguards and Nightguards
Can I use a sports mouthguard as a nightguard?
No. The appliances have different designs and purposes. A sports mouthguard absorbs impact during athletic activity, while a nightguard protects against grinding and clenching during sleep.
Will a nightguard stop me from grinding my teeth?
Not necessarily. A nightguard primarily protects the teeth from direct contact and wear. Your dentist may also discuss contributing factors or recommend further evaluation based on your symptoms.
Can children wear custom sports mouthguards?
Yes. Custom sports mouthguards can protect young athletes. However, growing children may need periodic replacements as their teeth and jaws change.
Should I wear a mouthguard with braces or orthodontic appliances?
Patients with braces or other appliances may still need sports protection, but they require a design that accommodates orthodontic treatment. Ask your dentist or orthodontic provider which option is appropriate.
What should I do if a tooth breaks during sports?
Stop playing and seek prompt dental guidance. Contact Locust Family Dentistry at (704) 888-6247. You can also review information about broken or knocked-out teeth before an emergency occurs.
