Mouthguard/Sports Guard

Mouthguards are used for different purposes. Patients with bruxism (tooth grinding) may need a mouthguard for sleeping or even daytime wear. Some athletes need one for their sport. While a sports guard is much heavier and sturdy to protect from hard impacts, all three mouthguards are essentially for the same purpose – to protect the teeth and/or mouth.

Tooth grinding may not sound like a problem, over time, the grinding will wear down tooth enamel, chip or crack teeth, or allow infection to set in. Some patients are not aware they are grinding their teeth until a dentist sees the symptoms and diagnoses the problem. Patients may complain of headaches or aching jaws when they wake up in the morning. Many never make the connection to tooth grinding when they are asleep.

Nighttime is the most common time for grinding but even daytime grinding may not be something that the patient realizes. Daytime mouth guards are especially important for people who have occupations that involve intense concentration -- bank tellers that count money, factory workers that perform the same tasks over and over.

High-impact sports are especially dangerous for the mouth and teeth. Football, soccer, hockey, and even gymnastics are just examples of activities that may result in mouth injuries.

Some generic mouthguards can be purchased at a big-box store, but these are generally bulky and uncomfortable. Our dentists at University Family Dental Studio can provide custom-made mouthguards that are comfortable as well as protective.

Call 269-471-5244 for an appointment to discuss your mouthguard needs.