Mouthguards and nightguards are both used to protect the mouth from potential dental problems that occur while playing sports or while sleeping. As they are customized specifically for the patient, they give you the best fit and protection for your smile. If you are considering a mouthguard for sports or a nightguard for grinding of teeth you should consult with us before you consider purchasing a less effective piece of equipment from a sports retailer or over-the-counter. Professionally made mouthguards are more comfortable and offer the best protection against injury. Over-the-counter nightguards may actually exacerbate the problem.

Who Needs a Mouthguard?

Athletes who participate in sports that carry significant risk for injury should wear a mouthguard. Sports such as hockey, football, basketball, boxing and snowboarding are all examples of sports that can potentially cause damage to the teeth, mouth, or soft gum tissues.

Who Needs a Nightguard?

If you are one of the many people who grind their teeth during the night you may benefit from a nightguard. A nightguard is designed for people with bruxism, or a habit of grinding or clenching their teeth. If you do this while you are sleeping you may wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache, with spots on your teeth, or may have additional problems that may be related to TMJ disorder. Grinding is a common occurrence that can lead to oral health problems and can be treated with a custom-fitted nightguard made by our Madison dentists.

Types of Mouthguards

We mentioned above that your best bet is to get a professionally designed mouthguard instead of something at the drug store or sports store. This is because the other two types of mouthguards- stock and boil and bite- are not as effective as the ones we make. Stock mouthguards don’t fit well, often making breathing and talking difficult. The boil and bite mouthguards are better than the stock ones but they too don’t give the custom fit that athletes and bruxers feel most comfortable with. A custom-fitted mouthguard will be designed to fit your teeth perfectly and are essential for athletes and bruxers who wish to preserve their dental health.

To learn more about mouthguards and nightguards at our Madison or Cottage Grove offices please contact us today.