Nightguards
Sports mouthguards are custom-made rubber coverings worn over your teeth to protect them from damage during sports activities involving either moving objects or physical contact. Professionally-made sports mouthguards cushion the teeth and gums and help to avoid chipped and broken teeth.
Why you might need a nightguard
​Being hit in the mouth by a ball in such sports as football, cricket or hockey can lead to serious damage to your teeth, including broken and lost teeth, while in sports in which you come into contact with other players, such as rugby, American football, and boxing, can also lead to damaged, broken or dislocated jaws.
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Sports mouthguards provide cushioning to protect against sports injuries. Professional sportspeople can often be seen wearing mouthguards for this reason.
The Process
First, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and gums and send these to the dental laboratory so your sportsguard/nightguard can be made to fit you perfectly.
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The dental laboratory will make up the sportsguard to your dentist’s specifications.
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Your dentist will check the guard fits properly. You should wear it at all times playing or training for sports.
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Sportsguards should be worn by adults and children. Children’s mouthguards will need regular replacement as their teeth and jaws grow. You should check regularly that your child’s mouthguard still fits, and see your dentist for a replacement if it has become loose or tight-fitting.
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Adults will also need to replace their mouthguards periodically due to wear and tear.
Nightguards for Bruxism and Grinding
​ Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as Bruxism, is pretty common and can be painful, damage the teeth, and can, even, lead to complications such as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Luckily, custom-made nightguards for Bruxism can help anyone who clenches and grinds their teeth while sleeping.
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Occasional teeth grinding may not cause any real concerns, but long-term, consistent Bruxism can lead to complications and in severe cases, loss of teeth.
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The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed that stress and anxiety play the biggest role. Other causes may also be alcohol use, cigarettes, caffeine, sleep apnea, snoring, an abnormal bite, and crooked teeth.
Wearing a Nightguard for Sleeping
Most cases of Bruxism can easily be treated by wearing a night guard while you sleep. Night guards are also known as dental guards, mouth guards, nocturnal bite plates, or bite splints. They work by putting a barrier between your teeth. When you clench your jaw, the nightguard helps to lighten the tension and give cushion to the muscles in the jaw. This cushioning not only helps to prevent face and jaw pain but also protects the enamel of your teeth.
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Custom-made nightguards are best as they fit properly in your mouth without the risk of unwanted damages from poorly fitted guards. The dentist can provide you with the appropriate type depending on your individual needs and still can be a cost-effective investment.
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If you suspect you may suffer from Bruxism, don’t worry. It can easily be treated with night guards. See a dentist to iscover the root cause and fix that before seeking other treatment. In some cases, sleep apnea can be a cause.