How Effective Are Mouthguards in Protecting Your Smile?
At Bridget Singh DDS, we believe in prevention as the first line of defense against dental injuries. We are pleased to offer custom mouthguards to give your smile extra protection if you grind and clench your teeth in your sleep or when engaged in high-intensity or contact sports. Our compassionate team is committed to helping our valued patients enjoy healthy, pain-free smiles.
Night Guards for Bruxism – An Overview
Grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep, a condition known as bruxism, can lead to tooth wear, fractured tooth enamel, extreme sensitivity, damage to dental work, gum recession, morning headaches, jaw pain, TMJ disorders, and more! Dental night guards are removable oral appliances that fit over your upper or lower teeth, protecting their surfaces. Even though they do not necessarily stop teeth grinding and clenching, they lower the risk of damage to your smile.
Athletic Mouthguards – An Overview
If you or a loved one are engaged in high-intensity or contact sports, it is important to protect your smile with an athletic mouthguard. Otherwise, you are at a higher risk of knocked-out, broken, or dislodged teeth, soft tissue damage, or jaw injuries. Studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to sustain mouth injuries when not wearing protective mouthguards. That is why high school and college football teams mandate wearing athletic guards, which prevent an estimated 200,000 sports-related dental injuries each year!
Over-the-Counter vs. Custom Mouthguards
There are different types of mouthguards available for purchase, including stock mouthguards that come pre-made in different sizes or boil-and-bite mouth protectors that are placed in hot water and molded to your teeth. Unfortunately, over-the-counter mouthguards are bulky, uncomfortable, and rarely provide a good fit, reducing their effectiveness. Moreover, ill-fitting over-the-counter night guards can change your bite, requiring significant orthodontic treatment to correct.
We highly recommend opting for a custom night guard or athletic mouthguard made from impressions of your teeth. The superior mouth protectors provide a customized fit and better protection for your smile. They are much more comfortable and made from high-quality, durable materials that do not wear as quickly as store-bought mouthguards. Custom night guards also provide stability to your teeth, preventing unwanted changes to your bite.
While custom mouthguards may be more costly than over-the-counter ones, they can save you the discomfort and expenses associated with repairing damage from nighttime teeth grinding and clenching or sports-related dental injuries.
Night Guards and Athletic Mouthguards Near Me in Seattle, WA
If you would like to learn more about protecting your smile with a custom mouthguard, contact Bridget Singh, DDS, today! Dr. Singh and her team are committed to providing high-quality mouth protectors to prevent dental injuries and maintain healthy smiles. We invite you to schedule a consultation by using this link or calling our office at 206-399-3775.