Nightguards & Sports Mouthguards – South Shore, IL
Mouthguards act as a cushion, protecting your teeth, tongue, gums, lips & cheeks. There are two situations when patients are recommended to wear a mouthguard: in case of grinding & during certain physical activity.
A night guard is a type of mouthguard that you wear while sleeping to prevent teeth grinding caused by clenching of the jaw. This clenching & grinding is called bruxism by dentists, & if left untreated it can cause worn, cracked & damaged teeth that will need to be repaired or removed & replaced. If your dentist has told you that you have bruxism, a night guard is an important way to make sure you don’t do further damage to your teeth. Signs that you may have bruxism & need to wear a night guard include a sore jaw, sore teeth & dull headaches. Your dentist may also be able to detect signs of bruxism by looking at patterns of wear on your teeth.
What Is A Nightguard & Why Might I Need One?
A nightguard is a mouthguard that you wear at night while sleeping that protects against damage & discomfort caused by teeth grinding or clenching.
Known as bruxism to dentists, teeth clenching & grinding is an unconscious behavior experienced by both children & adults. Because it often happens when you’re asleep, many patients are unaware that they have bruxism until they learn about the symptoms or the dentist notices damage.
Symptoms of teeth grinding & clenching include:
- Worn or cracked/broken teeth
- Jaw pain, neck pain, or even back muscle pain or tenderness
- Facial pain, earaches, headaches
- Higher sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet in teeth
- Sleeping difficulty
Sports mouthguards, also called sportsguards, are an absolutely essential piece of sports safety equipment. Unfortunately, despite the fact that thousands lose or injure teeth every year while participating in sports, sportsguards are often overlooked or underutilized by athletes. We are strong advocates of preventive dental care, which is why we create custom sportsguards for athletes of all ages.
A mouthguard is a piece of molded plastic in the form of an arch that fits over the top teeth. A sports mouthguard protects the mouth & face in several ways. The guard shields the upper teeth from damage from impacts or blows to the face. Top & bottom teeth are prevented from impacting each other directly as a result of a collision or blow. It also protects the soft tissues of the mouth, especially the cheeks, from impacts with the teeth.
What Is A Sports Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a piece of molded plastic in the form of an arch that fits over the top teeth. A sports mouthguard protects the mouth & face in several ways. The guard shields the upper teeth from damage from impacts or blows to the face. Top & bottom teeth are prevented from impacting each other directly as a result of a collision or blow. It also protects the soft tissues of the mouth, especially the cheeks, from impacts with the teeth.
Where to Get a Mouthguard
Once you decide to get a mouthguard, there are a few directions you can go. By far, the most effective & comfortable option is to have your dentist make you a custom mouthguard. However, that custom fit comes with a higher price tag.
Alternatively, pre-formed versions are available in stores, but they are often not comfortable & may even be painful or make breathing difficult. Another kind available for purchase outside your dentist’s office is what we call a boil-&-bite mouthguard, which you can mold to your teeth & mouth at home. While these might fit better than pre-formed mouthguards, they can still be bulky & cumbersome.
Store-bought & boil-&-bite mouthguards are better than none at all, but we believe that your best option, both for night-time use & for sports, is one custom-made by your dentist. It could be very worthwhile to spend a little more if it means preventing costly dental work in the future.
We’re happy to talk to you about your needs & options & to get you set up for a custom mouthguard that’s best for your mouth & situation. Call us today for a consultation.