DENTAL GUARDS
Dental night guards and dental mouth guards are molded from flexible plastic to the shape of the jaw and teeth. They are used to treat a range of medical conditions and to protect the teeth and jaw from trauma during physical activity and contact sports such as boxing, football or other activities where the mouth is a vulnerable target.
If you’re in need of a dental night guard, mouth guard for teeth grinding, or other protective accessory, schedule an appointment or visit Dr. Dental today. We can help with all of your dental guard needs. From teeth grinding to sporting requirements, Dr. Dental’s oral healthcare specialists, dentists, and hygienists have everything you need – at all of our dental offices.
Where are dental guards used?
There are a number of oral medical conditions for which dental mouth guards are prescribed by a dentist. Most reasons for using a dental night guard have to do with teeth grinding, while others are influenced by issues with jaw, gums, and other areas of the mouth. It doesn’t matter why you might need a dental guard or oral night guard – but it does matter who you see, and when you seek treatment. The best time to look into your oral health issues which may require a dental guard was yesterday. And the best place to get fitted for a night guard or other protective device is Dr. Dental.
Conditions that Require Custom Dental Guards
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD): TMD is an umbrella term applied to conditions affecting the temporomandibular joints that connect the mandible (lower jaw) to the skull and to the muscles of mastication (chewing). While not life-threatening, TMDs are characterized mainly by pain and clicking noises and can seriously impact an individual’s quality of life. A dental guard can help to relieve symptoms of TMDs.
- Bruxism: This is a fancy term for tooth-grinding. Dental night guards are often used to treat this common condition. Left untreated, bruxism can cause dental fractures or loss of teeth that ultimately requires extensive, and costly, dental treatment. Mouthguards are an inexpensive alternative. Bruxism is one of the most widespread conditions. It’s estimated that up to 10% of the population suffers from teeth grinding, and the rate is slightly higher among children. A family history of bruxism is strongly correlated with higher prevalence – nearly 50% of people with a genetic disposition to teeth grinding also have bruxism. Regardless of the root cause, bruxism should not be left untreated. With a dental night guard from Dr. Dental, you can get relief immediately!
- Dental trauma: There are many sports during which the jaw can be exposed to deliberate or accidental trauma. Baseball, martial arts, rugby, hockey and boxing are obvious examples. In many cases, the use of a mouth guard is mandated by the rules of the sport. Athletes who wear a mouth guard that has not been fitted by a dentist can risk injury to the jaw due to a poor fit. At Dr. Dental, we’ll fit you with a dental guard for all sorts of activities that require extra protection. While store-bought dental guards are accessible, they’re not recommended. It’s always best to use a guard that’s specifically designed to fit your mouth. Visit Dr. Dental today for a dental guard fitting, or schedule an appointment.
- Gum disease: Dental guards are sometimes used as trays to deliver medication such as corticosteroids.
- Morsicatio buccarum: This is a scary word that simply refers to chronic cheek biting. A dental night guard may be used as a therapeutic device to prevent this from happening.
- Dental aesthetics: A dental mouth guard may be used for tooth bleaching. Night guards are also occasionally used to protect thin porcelain bridges during sleep.
TYPES OF DENTAL NIGHT GUARDS
Dental mouth guards may be pre-formed with only minor trimming required. Dental mouth guards may also be custom made, in which an impression of the user’s teeth is used to create a well-fitting mouth protector. Techniques such as vacuum formation or pressure lamination are used to make custom dental mouthguards.
Dental guards are cost-effective prophylactic measures to prevent serious damage in cases of teeth grinding and contact sports. The best fitting device is one that has been fitted by a dentist,
even though the one-size-fits-all dental guards are available at department stores, sporting goods retailers, and other outlets. Dr. Dental’s team of professional oral healthcare specialists and dentists can get you fitted with a dental night guard, snoring mouth guard, and other guards.
If you’re interested in getting checked to see if you need a night guard or other type of oral night guard, visit one of our offices today. With over 40 offices spread across the New England region (Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts), Dr. Dental is always just around the corner. With our dental deals and discounts, including our new patient exam special, we can help determine if you need a dental night guard or other protective device in no time at all.
Many types of mouth guards for teeth grinding are paid for with dental insurance programs. But even if you’re not covered right now, we’ll work with you to setup a payment plan that makes sense – both for your oral health and also your budget!
