If you play a contact sport, or a high fall risk sport, or suffer from bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding) or have sleep apnea, having your dentist build you a custom, comfortable mouthguard is a very good idea. Store-bought mouthguards may be uncomfortable, or not up to the pressure bruxism or stress can exert. A custom-built mouthguard can prevent injury to your teeth, jaw, head, and soft tissue. It can also give you a good night’s sleep.
If you’ve watched contact sports like boxing or rugby, you will have seen combatants wearing mouthguards. It makes perfect sense – the opportunity of hit in the face can result in one or two lost teeth. Mouthguards provide:
- Impact protection
- Soft tissue protection – cheeks, gums, lips, and tongue
- Jaw and head protection
- Previous dental-work protection
While you may not play a contact sport, you do go to sleep. And that could be the one place where you do more damage to your teeth than at any other time!
4 Reasons why you may need a mouthguard
- You play a contact sport
- You have a lot of stress
- You grind your teeth
- You have sleep apnea
If tooth enamel is stronger than bone, why would I need a mouthguard?
It can break due to:
- Acids from what you eat or drink
- Pressure, both external or internal – contact sports, or sports with a high fall risk, like snowboarding or biking.
- Clenching or grinding your teeth (Bruxism). The average human bite force is approximately 162 psi. The same bite force as a Yorkshire Terrier. A Chihuahua has a stronger bite force than the average human. Normal chewing only exerts 30 – 40 psi, while clenching and grinding your teeth can deliver up to 250 psi. Bruxism is often a result of gastro-intestinal disorders such as GERD (GORD), stress, or poor sleeping habits. If you have the following symptoms every morning, you may have bruxism:
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- A headache or migraine
- A stiff or sore jaw or face
- Clicking, grinding or popping sounds in your jaw
- Ear-ache or Tinnitus
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Tooth pain
- TMJ Disorder. If your jaw is misaligned, your upper and lower teeth won’t fit together properly which will result in excessive wear and tear.
- Snoring or Sleep Apnea. Both of these are often due to TMJ disorder or being overweight. A mouthguard helps to shift and reposition your jaw to open your airway as you sleep.
What kind of mouthguard do I need?
- Over-The-Counter
While you can buy mouthguards over the counter, these are generic. Your mouth isn’t. Every mouth is individual. These mouthguards are also not built for the pressure exerted by bruxism, contact sport, or helpful for sleep apnea.
- Custom-made
The best option is a mouthguard created by your dentist. One that perfectly fits your mouth and your teeth. They are built to withstand high pressure, are far more comfortable than over-the-counter guards, and last much longer. Unlike over-the-counter guards, they can also be used without a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine for sleep apnea.
But I couldn’t sleep with a mouthguard in my mouth
You’ll get used to not have a stiff jaw, a headache, and sore teeth very quickly. And not using a mouthguard can lead to costly and ongoing dental problems.
Have you ever lost teeth from playing sport? Wouldn’t a good night’s sleep every night be a good thing? Wouldn’t preventing ongoing and expensive dental care be an excellent thing?
If you’ve said yes to any of those questions, or if you have any of these symptoms, or play a contact or high fall risk sport, make an appointment today for a custom-built mouthguard by contacting us on 0508 TEAM DENTAL.
FAQs:
Q1: Can I use an over-the-counter mouthguard instead of a custom one?
Over-the-counter mouthguards offer basic protection but can feel bulky and less effective. A custom-made mouthguard from your dentist fits better, is more comfortable, and provides stronger protection for sports, teeth grinding, and sleep-related issues.
Q2: How do I know if I need a mouthguard for teeth grinding or sleep?
Common signs include morning headaches, jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, or a stiff face. These may indicate teeth grinding (bruxism) or sleep-related issues. A dentist can confirm and recommend a custom mouthguard for protection and better sleep.