Mouthguards

When you watch a football game, you’ll often see the players stuffing mouthguards in before a big play. They’re taking an important step in keeping all their teeth intact! Now, while your daily routine may not be as rough-and-tumble as a professional football game, there may still be situations or conditions where a mouthguard is highly recommended.

Maybe you are active in a sport where it’s likely to be impacted in the mouth. A simple mouthguard could save you from a costlier implant procedure, where you have to fill in the gap where teeth got knocked out. Another common condition is known as bruxism, where people clench and grind their teeth (sometimes while asleep), accelerating tooth wear and tear.

• Stock mouthguards – These are preformed mouthguards that are molded to fit most mouth sizes. They’re generally looser, bulkier, and impede breathing and talking. We generally do not recommend these, as they don’t actually offer much in the way of protection.
• Boiled mouthguards – These mouthguards are made of a thermoplastic substance that reacts to hot water. You boil them briefly, then place the mouthguard against your teeth to try and form a basic mold.
• Customized mouthguards – If you’re looking for optimal protection, this is your best option. When you visit Hadfield Dental Care, you get a custom mouthguard mold made, individually designed by your dentist to allow for unobstructed breathing and speaking while worn. This may be a bit more than getting a cheap mouthguard from the nearest sports store, but trust us when we say the comfort and protection is worth the investment.

Mouthguards are often made for both the upper and lower teeth. If you experience teeth grinding while asleep, a special mouthguard—known as a bite splint or bite plate—can be provided to prevent tooth damage.