BeDford, NH
Dental Mouth Guards
Dental mouth guards are important dental appliances that serve various purposes, primarily related to protecting the teeth, gums, and oral structures. They are custom-fitted or over-the-counter devices made from soft plastic or acrylic materials and are commonly used in various situations.
Dental mouth guards are essential for safeguarding oral health, minimizing the risk of injury, and improving overall dental well-being. Proper care and regular replacement are crucial to maintain their effectiveness in protecting teeth and gums. Consultation with a dentist is recommended to determine the most suitable type of mouth guard based on individual needs and activities.
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Night Guards
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth and jaws. Grinding refers to moving the jaw back and forth. Clenching refers to biting down with excessive force for long periods of time. Bruxism is a common condition and normally occurs during sleep or times of stress. Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth in their sleep until they are told by their sleep partner or dentist.
Over time, chronic clenching and grinding of your teeth can lead to some serious dental issues and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder. Grinding teeth causes extensive damage to the structure and enamel of the teeth, which can lead to decay and increased sensitivity. It can also cause headaches, disrupt your sleep, and cause pain in the jaw, face, and neck.
Factors that may increase your chances of developing bruxism include:
Age: Bruxism is most common in young children.
Personality Type: Individuals who are naturally competitive, aggressive, or hyperactive are more likely to experience bruxism.
Intense Emotions: Many people unconsciously grind their teeth when under intense stress or when they feel angry or frustrated.
Certain Medications and Substances: Tobacco use, drinking caffeine or alcohol, and certain psychiatric medications can increase your risk of bruxism.
Other Health Conditions: Bruxism is often associated with other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Mouth Guard Importance
Why Is It Important to Get a Mouth Guard for Jaw Clenching?
Ignoring your bruxism symptoms can lead to serious dental issues requiring expensive treatments. For example, bruxism is a leading cause of infections that require root canals. Individuals who grind their teeth can experience up to 2 millimeters of enamel erosion by their mid-20s, which increases the risk for cavities. When we purposely clench down, our force per square inch can reach 140 pounds per square inch. Some experts estimate that this force increases to 700 pounds of force per square inch when we clench and grind our teeth at night!
Although it is possible to buy less expensive mouth guards online or at your local drug store, there are several reasons why it is worth the extra money to see a dental professional for a custom-fitted device:
A custom-fitted night guard will ensure that your jaw is in proper alignment, which can help with TMJ jaw pain relief.
A custom-fitted night guard will fit properly, which means that it will be more comfortable and won’t fall out during the night.
Custom-fitted night guards are made from better materials than over-the-counter versions, so they will typically last longer.
Custom PlaySafe Sports Mouthguards
While it might not make a big difference in their game, a custom-made sports mouth guard will make a big difference in keeping your child out of the dentist’s office. Dental related injuries affect all age groups, including elementary age children to high school, and college level athletes.
Dental injuries in general could be significantly reduced if kids (and adults!) wore custom mouth guards when they play in sports.
What Sports Should Include a Mouth guard?
Sports mouth guards offer plenty of protection for both organized and recreational sports:
Basketball (mouth guards are not typically worn, even for recreational pick-up games, but, according to studies, 34% of all basketball injuries are tooth and/or oral cavity related.)
Soccer
Softball
Baseball
Rollerblading
Skateboarding
Mountain Biking
Hockey
Martial Arts
Football
Lacrosse
Horseback Riding
Rugby
Volleyball
Playsafe Custom Sport Mouth Guards:
We offer a variety of PlaySafe sports mouth guards in an assortment of colors. These mouth guards vary by sport and the athlete’s age. Depending upon the sport, PlaySafe mouth guards offer multiple layers of protection and are custom made from a 3-D impression taken of the patient’s upper and lower teeth.
Our office then sends the 3-D impression to a lab where they are able to custom fabricate the mouth guard to precisely fit to the patient’s teeth and jaw to help ensure proper protection and comfort.
When it comes to both tooth protection and oral comfort, a custom fit sports mouth guard is a small price to pay.
Silent Night® Sleep Appliance
While it might not make a big difference in their game, a custom-made sports mouth guard will make a big difference in keeping your child out of the dentist’s office. Dental related injuries affect all age groups, including elementary age children to high school, and college level athletes.
Dental injuries in general could be significantly reduced if kids (and adults!) wore custom mouth guards when they play in sports.
Most people are unaware that they snore or have sleep apnea, as their only symptom is a persistent feeling of exhaustion throughout the day. Short-term effects of poor sleep include stress, mood disorders, and difficulty concentrating; when sleep loss continues over the course of years, patients are at an increased risk of diabetes, some cancers, high blood pressure, depression, stroke, and obesity.
Whether you suffer from sleep apnea or snoring, you will achieve a deeper, more satisfying night’s sleep with the Silent Nite Sleep Appliance. By gently shifting the lower jaw forward while you sleep, your muscles and ligaments are activated to prevent the airway from collapsing. Better sleep leads to improved mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Silent Nite Sleep Appliance Therapy
The Silent Nite Sleep Appliance allows us to treat sleep apnea, and snoring, comfortably, quickly, and effectively without CPAP machines or invasive surgeries.
Here’s why we recommend Silent Nite Sleep Appliance therapy:
It’s made with a thin, flexible material that is custom-fitted to your mouth, making it more comfortable than other night guards.
Silent Nite Sleep Appliances comes complete with a carrying case and extra connectors in various sizes.
The system includes an AM aligner that aids patients in exercising and realigning the jaw after nighttime therapy.
Commonly Asked Questions About Dental Mouth Guards
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our dental mouth guards here. If you have more questions, please give our office a call at (603) 471-6000.
What types of mouth guards do dentists offer?
Dentists typically offer night guards for teeth grinding (bruxism), sports mouth guards for athletic protection, and orthodontic retainers or bite splints depending on your needs.
Do I need a mouth guard if I grind my teeth at night?
Yes—if you grind or clench your teeth, a night guard can help prevent enamel wear, jaw pain, headaches, and more serious issues like cracked teeth or TMJ problems.
Can a mouth guard help with jaw pain or TMJ issues?
Yes – night guards can help reduce strain on the jaw joint, minimize clenching, and alleviate TMJ-related symptoms when used consistently.
What age should kids start wearing sports mouth guards?
Children should wear a sports mouth guard as soon as they begin playing contact or high-risk sports like soccer, basketball, hockey, football, or martial arts, usually starting around age 6–7.
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