Mouth, Sport and Grinding Guards

A mouthguard is a generic term that refers to a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. There are several types of mouthguards, each designed and fabricated with a specific protective role in mind.

Grinding your teeth while you sleep is a condition known as sleep bruxism. It often occurs with great force and wears down the teeth, and without protection, it can destroy tooth enamel and chip or crack teeth. Once the enamel has been destroyed, it cannot be replaced.  It can also loosen teeth and implants, and fracture crowns, bridges and veneers. Damaged teeth and dental work can be costly to fix, not to mention uncomfortable!

In addition, constant clenching of the jaw during sleep can lead to headaches, sore jaw and facial muscles, and even a condition called TMJ disorder which causes chronic pain in the face, jaw, and neck. 

Because teeth grinding while sleeping is unintentional, the safest and most effective way to ensure teeth are protected is to wear a mouth guard that separates teeth. There are two basic types of brux guards, over-the-counter and custom made.

These brux guards are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at most pharmacies. These mouth guards cover the top and/or bottom row of teeth and have many variations. Some versions come as a boil and bite customization which is placed in hot water then moulded to your teeth.

 

These types of mouthguards are economical but may need to be replaced every few months as they can wear out quickly.  They protect your teeth from damage due to grinding, but can be uncomfortable and may exacerbate jaw muscle and TMJ pain. 

Custom brux guards are professionally designed and fitted by your dentist to address your specific needs. These brux guards are made using a mould of your teeth which is then sent to a laboratory that specializes in creating mouth guards. These types of mouthguards can be made out of hard, durable plastic and are fitted for either the top or bottom teeth.  Custom brux guards are long-lasting but can be costly at a few hundred dollars. While these brux guards are the most expensive and time-consuming option, they do offer the best protection that is specific to your needs and concerns.

This type of brux guard can be carefully adjusted to fit your bite so that, in many cases, it can help eliminate TMJ joint and muscle pain.

The action of grinding your teeth together night after night causes your teeth to wear down and flatten. Allowed to persist, this can result in:

• fractured teeth
• loose teeth
• tooth loss
• temperature sensitivity
• receding gums
• root canals
• dental implant loss.
• broken fillings, crowns, bridges and veneers
• jaw muscle and joint pain
• headaches
• changes in the bite necessitating expensive full-mouth restoration
• severe tooth wear resulting in the need for extraction

Sports mouthguards  come in three basic types: the pre-made mouthguard, the “boil-and-bite” fitted sports guard, and the custom-made sports guard.  The sports guard generally fits only over just the top teeth and helps reduce the risk of injuries, broken teeth, and bruising of the lips during sporting activities.  It may also help prevent concussions by cushioning the force of trauma to the jaw through the jaw joint to the skull.  

Stock sports guards are the over-the-counter-mouth guards that come pre-formed and ready to wear. Stock sports guards are typically one size fits all and inexpensive. They provide some protection during sports but are often loose making it harder to breathe. 

Boil and bite sports guards are softened in hot water and then moulded it around the mouth using the fingers and tongue. Overall, these fit better than stock mouth protectors, but they still do not give a precise, customized fit.  

Custom-fitted sports guards are made from an impression taken of the patient’s teeth thus creating a much more accurate fit. They are more expensive than the other two types of sports guards, however, custom sports guards offer the best overall fit, comfort, and protection.  Custom sports guards can be further customized in thickness and design to suit specific sports.

Ask your dentist if a custom sports guard is suitable for you.

What Type of Sports Guard is Right For You?

Certain sports and activities carry a high risk of falling or injuries that can impact your face. A mouthguard can help to protect your teeth and prevent them from injuring your lips or tongue. 

It’s especially important to use a mouthguard if you’re involved in any of the following sports:

• football
• soccer
• boxing
• basketball
• field hockey
• ice hockey
• gymnastics
• skateboarding
• in-line skating
• cycling
• volleyball
• softball
• wrestling

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes a person to temporarily stop breathing multiple times while they are sleeping. This can prevent your brain from receiving enough oxygen and increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and hypertension. Because it disrupts your sleep it can also lead to cognitive disruption and daytime sleepiness.

Although we cannot diagnose sleep apnea we can assist you in finding the most effective treatment for your needs. Learn more about other snoring and sleep apnea treatments.