What Is The Difference Between Sport Guards And Night Guards?

Sport Mouthguards 

Many experts recommend the wear of a custom sports guard for anyone involved in competitive and recreational sports in which impact, collision, and contact are likely to occur. Sports mouthguards are designed to protect your entire mouth including your jaw, cheeks, teeth, and gums. They are made from a thick plastic that covers all of your teeth front to back and also covers your gums for extra protection. These custom mouthguards protect your teeth by spreading the impact of the collision over a larger surface area rather than just having the impact be absorbed by a single tooth that could easily become damaged. 

Night Mouthguards

Bruxism, common teeth grinding, and clenching problems mostly done in a person's sleep can cause significant damage to teeth and cause discomfort or pain to the gums and jaw. To prevent this habit from damaging teeth and causing pain, dentists recommend you wear a nightguard to impose a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth and prevent them from grinding against each other. These night guards are made from a strong, thin plastic material that can absorb all of the clenching and grinding forces so you can have a comfortable, undisturbed sleep and wake up with no pain. The guards also only need to cover the occlusal part (the grinding or biting surface) of your teeth making them more comfortable than bulkier sports mouthguards.

Custom-Made Mouthguards

When you decide to get a custom mouthguard whether it be for sports or to prevent damage to your teeth from grinding and clenching at night, your dentist will first take an impression of your teeth. Your dentist may use a type of dental putty to form around your teeth to get an accurate mold to make the mouthguard. The mold will be sent to a lab to be copied in order to create the mouthguard. The lab uses superheated plastic to replicate the mold and then cools it to ensure the guard is durable. After your mouthguard is made, your dentist will ensure that it fits your mouth correctly and that you do not have any discomfort wearing it. Some benefits of getting a custom-made sport or night mouthguard are:

• Individualized fit
• Increased comfort
• Added protection for your mouth

Custom Sport And Night Guards In Calgary NE

Both sports mouthguards and night mouthguards are essential pieces of protective equipment to save your teeth from any potential injuries or damage from occurring. Both perform essential functions to protect your oral health so you can avoid any other costly injuries that may require extensive treatments such as dental implants to replace a missing tooth. If you suspect you suffer from bruxism, talk to your dentist about custom night mouthguard options to avoid any other potential oral health problems that can occur and to ease your pain caused by teeth grinding. And if you are highly involved in high-impact sports, it is recommended you look into getting a custom-fitted sports guard so you can avoid losing a tooth or breaking your jaw. 

If bruxism is severely hampering your life and well-being, you don’t need to cope with it any longer. At our NE Calgary dental clinic, we offer affordable custom-made night guards to protect your teeth at night and ease your pain. We also offer custom sports guards to ensure you are protected on all fronts going into your next sporting competition or practice. To schedule an appointment at our NE Calgary dental clinic, contact us by calling 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.

FAQs

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition in which you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth most commonly at night. If left untreated, bruxism can lead to jaw disorders, TMD/TMJ,  headaches, damaged teeth, and other oral health problems as well as cause significant pain and discomfort.

Are night mouthguards bulky and uncomfortable?

Thanks to recent advancements in technology, night mouth guards now have a sleek, barely-there design that is still effective at absorbing the effects of clenching and grinding your teeth. No need to worry, you won’t have to go to sleep with a huge hunk of plastic in your mouth.

What are some signs and symptoms that I might suffer from bruxism?

Severe bruxism can lead to:

• Damage to your teeth or restorations
• Tension headaches
• Severe facial or jaw pain

Disorders that occur in your TMJ joints which are located at the back of your jaw next to your ears. A common example is hearing a clicking sound when you open and close your mouth.