Custom mouthguards and nightguards:
- Prevent injury to the teeth and mouth
- Fit comfortably and make it easy to breathe
- Protect your smile with a custom mouthguard or nightguard.
Protect your smile with a custom mouthguard or nightguard.
Benefits of a Custom Mouthguard or Nightguard
Here are just a few advantages of getting a custom-fit protective device for your teeth.
Protects Teeth
Your natural smile is irreplaceable, and a simple oral device can protect teeth against injury.
Comfortable
Our well-fit guard is durable, fits snugly, and doesn’t cause pain or discomfort.
Cost-Effective
Mouthguards and nightguards are affordable and can prevent costly dental work.
How To Get a Mouthguard or Nightguard at the Dentist
We can easily create a comfortable and effective mouthguard for sports or teeth grinding.
After a consultation at Smile Connections Family Dental in Wichita, KS where we discuss your history and lifestyle, we’ll determine if a custom-made protective device is right for you.
- Our dentist takes an impression of your teeth to create a mouthguard or nightguard molded just for you.
- We check the fit of your device to make sure it’s comfortable to wear.
- Wear your mouthguard during sports, or wear your night guard when sleeping to protect your teeth from trauma and damage.
Bring your mouthguard or nightguard to each dentist visit to make sure it still fits properly and is in good condition.
As for maintenance, mouthguards and nightguards are easy to take care of and wash. The material used to make them is durable and won’t break down easily.
FAQ About Mouthguards and Nightguards
What Are Mouthguards Used For?
- Mouthguards protect your teeth from injury and impact during sports. They’re worn to cover upper teeth, but if there’s a special appliance or braces on the bottom of one’s teeth, then a bottom mouthguard can be made to accommodate the special circumstance.Mouthguards are recommended for children and adults who play sports that put them at risk of a mouth injury, such as contact sports like football and soccer, or even non-contact sports such as mountain biking or gymnastics.If you grind your teeth at night, a nightguard can help. It works similarly to a mouthguard to protect teeth from trauma. Nightguards are suitable for both children and adults. These devices are sometimes called TMJ splints as well. Grinding can often result in TMJ pain and bruxism. Nightguards or “splints” can help reduce the wear and tear on joints and enamel.Although their goals are the same (to protect teeth), mouthguards and nightguards’ shapes are different because the mouth acts differently when playing sports vs. sleeping.These devices are also made differently. A night guard is custom-made of thinner material so that you can sleep comfortably at night without the obstruction of a thicker mouthpiece. On the other hand, a mouthguard needs to be thicker to absorb shock and impact from sports injuries.
How Much Is A Mouthguard From A Dentist?
- The cost of a mouthguard from a dentist varies based on each patient and dental insurance coverage. Still, it’s a huge value in that a custom-fit mouthguard can help save your teeth from potential damage that requires expensive cosmetic dentistry.
Why Do Mouthguards Only Cover The Top Teeth?
- Most mouthguards only cover top teeth because they’re more comfortable to wear this way while still providing necessary protection to your teeth and gums. While mouthguards typically cover the top teeth, nightguards generally fit over the lower teeth due to the sleeping position.We may recommend a lower mouthguard in certain instances, such as a fixed jaw device or braces. Typically, you only need one layer that creates a barrier between teeth, which a single top mouthguard provides.
Do Mouthguards Actually Work?
- Mouthguards are effective in protecting teeth from grinding, clenching, and impact during sports. Nightguards also work to protect teeth, prevent grinding and clenching during sleep.Mouthguards protect the mouth and minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the mouth by covering the teeth and gums.
What Should I Do If I Clench My Teeth At Night?
- If you have pain in your jaw, mouth, or neck from grinding your teeth at night, then schedule a consultation with our dentist in Wichita, KS because you may be suffering from a condition called bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding).Teeth grinding can wear down teeth, damage enamel, chip teeth, and cause tooth sensitivity. A sign of bruxism can be jaw pain after waking up. This condition affects millions of people.Unknowingly grinding your teeth at night causes irreversible tooth damage and aches throughout the day. We can examine your teeth for bruxism signs and help you prevent nighttime grinding with a nightguard.A custom-fit nightguard helps you sleep comfortably while protecting your teeth from wear that occurs from nighttime teeth grinding or jaw clenching. The oral device creates a protective layer between upper and lower teeth so that you don’t clench your jaw or grind your teeth during sleep.
