Mouthguards

Protecting your teeth may be as easy as having our dental team fit you for a mouthguard.

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Mouthguards Can Prevent Injuries

Mouthguards are an essential part of a sports kit these days, both for children and adults. They’re particularly important for contact sports such as rugby, boxing and martial arts, and sports involving moving objects such as hockey, lacrosse and cricket. In any of these activities, you run the risk of a dental injury. Mouthguards cushion any contact with your face and minimise damage to your teeth and injury to your lips, tongue, or jaw.

Other Reasons We Recommend MouthguardS

While mouthguards protect teeth from injury, they can also help with other health issues. For patients who grind their teeth, snore or have sleep apnea, a custom-made mouthguard can help.

Wearing a mouthguard keeps the top and bottom teeth apart, so they don’t create damage grinding or clenching against each other. For mild sleep apnea, some patients use a custom-made mouthguard that pushes their lower jaw and tongue forward to keep their airway open. Mouthguards can help reduce snoring by working the same way they do for sleep apnea. Keeping the airway open and minimising the vibrations of soft tissue in the upper airway keep snoring to a minimum.

Mouthguards typically cover your upper teeth, as they stick out more and often receive the brunt of dental trauma. They come in a U-shape that’s inserted before sleep or sports, protecting all the exposed surfaces of these teeth. Your bottom teeth are more protected because they’re set further back. They do not require a separate mouthguard. We can provide custom-made dental mouthguards which fit comfortably and snugly, offering the maximum possible protection for your teeth.

How Do Mouthguards Fit?

Types of Mouthguards

In general, there are three types of mouthguards:

Custom Made.

Custom-made are individually created for you by a dentist. They provide excellent fit, comfort and protection for your teeth.

Boil and Bite.

Boil and bite mouthguards come from sporting goods stores. They’re boiled in water to soften the plastic. They are then inserted around the teeth while still hot, conforming to the shape of your mouth.

Stock.

Stock mouthguards are pre-formed. They usually come in small, medium and large sizes that don’t fit particularly well and may create issues when speaking.

Mouthguard Care

When you are finished using a mouthguard for the day, brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste then rinse it thoroughly. When not in use, mouthguards need to be kept clean and dry. Make sure you store your mouthguard in a proper mouthguard case with vents, which keeps it dry and helps prevent bacterial growth. If there are signs of wear and tear on the mouthguard, it may need replacing.

Our younger patients with mouthguards may need to replace them more often than adults. As children’s mouths are still growing, custom-made mouthguards may eventually fit incorrectly.

We encourage our patients with mouthguards to bring them along for dental checkups. During your visit, we can check the fit and state of the mouthguard and recommend a replacement, if necessary.

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