How Do Mouthguards Safeguard Your Smile?
At Sonoran Vista Dentistry, safeguarding your smile is always our top priority. We are pleased to offer custom mouthguards to prevent damage from nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, as well as high-impact or contact sports. We strive to ensure our valued patients enjoy a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. We invite you to visit our Gilbert practice to get started today.
What Is a Night Guard and Why Would You Need One?
Have you been waking up with headaches, jaw pain, or tooth sensitivity? If so, you may be grinding and clenching your teeth during sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to complications, including facial pain, sleep disruptions, uneven tooth wear or fracture, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
A night guard is an oral appliance that provides a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, helping absorb the forces of grinding and clenching, and preventing damage to your teeth and jaws. Wearing a night guard can also help reduce morning headaches, jaw pain, and TMJ symptoms, and allow you to enjoy restful, rejuvenating sleep.
What Are Athletic Mouthguards?
If you participate in high-impact sports, such as basketball, football, skateboarding, or even gymnastics, it’s essential to protect your smile. Sports-related dental injuries often include knocked-out, broken, or dislodged teeth, injury to the lips, tongue, or gums, and even jaw damage. Studies show that more than 5 million teeth are lost yearly in the United States as a result of sports injuries.
Athletic mouthguards are protective oral appliances worn over the top teeth during sports activities. They help absorb the impact of accidental blows to the face, significantly reducing your risk of sports-related dental injuries. Consider an athletic guard a necessary piece of equipment for any child, teen, or adult involved in activities that can result in injury to the mouth.
What Are Your Mouthguard Options?
The following are your mouthguard options:
Over-the-Counter Mouthguards: There are several store-bought mouthguard varieties, including stock and boil-and-bite. Stock mouthguards are worn right out of the box, while boil-and-bite guards are placed in hot water and molded to your teeth for a more customizable fit. Over-the-counter mouthguards can be bulky and uncomfortable, and often fail to provide adequate protection for your smile.
Custom Mouthguards: Custom mouthguards are made from impressions of your mouth, providing a perfect fit and exceptional protection for your smile. Because they are designed to fit snugly over your teeth and are created from high-quality materials, they are more comfortable than the over-the-counter varieties. They are also easier to clean and never restrict your breathing or speech. While more costly, custom mouthguards offer superior protection and last longer compared to store-bought guards.
What Is the Process of Creating Your Custom Mouthguard?
The first step in creating your custom mouthguard is capturing digital impressions of your teeth using our intraoral scanner. Skilled technicians at our partner dental laboratory will use these impressions as blueprints to create your custom mouthguards with precision, ensuring they provide a perfect and comfortable fit. Wearing your mouthguard during sports activities or to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching can prevent a host of complications, promoting your long-term oral health.
Can You Wear Night Guards and Athletic Mouthguards Interchangeably?
Night guards and sports mouthguards are both designed to protect your smile, but they do so in different ways, meaning they should never be worn interchangeably. Night guards are typically thinner and designed to protect against the pressure of grinding and clenching. Athletic guards, on the other hand, are made from softer, bulkier materials that can absorb the forces of sudden impact rather than withstand prolonged clenching and grinding. Wearing night guards and athletic guards interchangeably can increase the risk of oral injuries.
Custom Night Guards and Athletic Mouthguards Near Me in Gilbert, AZ
If you grind or clench your teeth during sleep or are involved in high-impact or contact sports, it’s important to wear a custom night guard or athletic mouthguard to safeguard your smile. Dr. Head and his team at Sonoran Vista Dentistry use the latest technology and highest-quality materials to provide your smile with the best possible protection. We invite you to call us at (480) 545-0661 to schedule an appointment or use this link to request one today!