The versatility of mouthguards

Do you struggle with anxiety-induced ailments such as sleep apnea or teeth grinding? Or are you an athlete who spends much of your time playing contact sports on the pitch? Regardless of your needs, dental mouthguards are incredibly versatile and are exceptionally useful at protecting your teeth for extended periods.

What is a mouthguard?

A mouthguard is a custom-made or store-bought dental appliance which covers your teeth. There are different types of mouthguards for different needs, and professional dentists often recommend these versatile instruments for several reasons.

While most mouthguards are placed over your upper teeth, some designs are helpful for either your lower, upper, or both sets of teeth.

How does a mouthguard function?

Mouthguards have various functions and can help dentists treat patients with several ailments, ensuring your mouth and teeth are protected. If you suffer from any of the following, a mouthguard might be just what you need.

Bruxism: the constant habit of grinding or clenching your teeth.
Useful for contact sports such as rugby, football, hockey, netball, or various forms of martial arts training.
High-risk activities such as off-trail biking, gymnastics or skating.
If you or your partner snores, mouthguards can prevent this.
Sleep Apnea: a dangerous condition which blocks your breathing during sleep.
TMJ Disorder: Temporomandibular Disorder, also known as TMD or TMJ, affects the hinge of your jaw, causing bouts of pain and discomfort.

Types of mouthguards

Three different types of mouthguards help alleviate the various symptoms and injuries.

Sports Mouthguard

Mostly designed for the protection and prevention of sports-related injuries. These mouthguards are created specifically to reduce the risk of chipped or avulsed (knocked out) teeth as well as a shock absorber to reduce the risk of concussion

Teeth grinding guards (more commonly referred to as biteplates)

Designed to help mitigate and protect your teeth from wearing down over long periods of jaw clenching or teeth grinding. These types help reduce the strain of TMJ disorders. They are also called night guards since they are worn mostly at night or when they sleep.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea guards

Anyone who suffers from these ailments will likely benefit from a custom-built mouthguard designed specifically for the shape of their mouth and teeth. It’s designed to shift and reposition your lower jaw to ensure your airways don’t become blocked.

Custom-made or store-bought?

Mouthguards are either stocked for store use or custom-made to suit your needs. What’s the difference?

Store-bought

Store-bought mouthguards are designed to be worn straight out of the box. They are generally cheaper than custom-made pieces but aren’t as effective. There are two discerning types of store-bought mouthguards, stock and boil-to-bite (slightly customisable). They are uncomfortable to wear as they tend to be bulky, ill-fitting, and irritating.

Custom-made

As the name suggests, custom-made mouthguards are moulded to shape by your dentist and designed to fit your dental anatomy precisely. Since they’re designed around your teeth’ structure, they tend to be more comfortable during daily use and are much more effective at protecting your teeth due to their snug fit.

These types are generally recommended for mouthguards for contact sports, bite plates for grinding, jaw and muscle strain and headaches due to grinding or Sleep Apnea devices to allow the forward positioning of the lower jaw to facilitate breathing during sleep and reduce snoring or waking up due to lack of oxygen. Although more expensive, they tend to have a much longer shelf life than their store-bought counterparts.

A dentist will create your custom mouthguard using a dental impression, usually with putty or a digital handheld wand. Once collected, they’ll send the impression to a dental lab to fabricate it to your unique specifications.

How often should you use your mouthguard?

While it largely depends on why you use one, a mouthguard procured for medical reasons should be used daily. For example, sufferers of Sleep Apnea should use it nightly or whenever they go to sleep. You will wear your mouthguard only during practice or a match if you use it for protective reasons.

Everyone has different needs and reasons for using a mouthguard, so be sure to speak to us if you have any concerns. If you believe you may suffer from any of the ailments listed above, please contact us for a consultation.

Contact us for an appointment

Dentistry done the right way requires modern tools, a keen understanding of how to use them, and above all else, care for your comfort and individual health requirements. We offer an extensive treatment programme that far outpaces other practices in the market.