Mouth Guard for Sport

Why should you choose to have a custom mouth guard?

While you can buy mouth guards at a sports shop, these ‘boil and bite’ varieties still don’t provide full protection which can be guaranteed from a custom-made guard.

Stronger and more durable

Boil and bite guards are thinner and made from a softer plastic. The machines that create custom-made guards work at a higher pressure and higher temperature, meaning the guards they produce can withstand greater force. They are made from a harder acrylic as they are already moulded to your impressions, so aren’t needed to be made softer in order to mould to their teeth – as is the case with boil and bite guards.

Moulded perfectly to your teeth for a superior fit

When you come to our practice for the guard fitting, we will take impressions using the same system we use for creating restorations and orthodontic appliances. The impressions allow us to create the best fit for your guard. When you visit us to pick up the guard, we make sure that it fits perfectly and that there is minimal movement.

Night guards

Whereas a sports guard or mouth guard protects your teeth and smile while playing contact sports. A night guard stops you from clenching or grinding your teeth at night while sleeping. If you wake up with a sore jaw or headaches, you might be clenching or grinding your teeth at night, a condition called bruxism. This can damage your teeth over time. At Sunbury Dental Practice, we can fit you with a comfortable night guard, a protective mouth wear that cushions your teeth and prevents them from grinding together. Night guards can significantly reduce jaw pain, and headaches, and protect your smile for a restful night's sleep.

Why have your mouth guard fitted at Sunbury Dental?

Some mouth guard providers include a pack where you can make impressions at home and then send them off to their factory. While this may sound more convenient, it is better to have a dentist take the impressions. We take numerous impressions every day and as such, are best suited to make sure that the impressions are as accurate as possible. Even a slight misfit can impact the integrity of the appliance – making it less secure and less comfortable.

Looking after the mouth guard

It’s very important to keep the mouth guard safe and clean between uses. You should wash the mouth guard after every use, occasionally using cool soapy water to keep it clear of bacteria. Make sure you never wash the guard with warm or hot water as this could cause the material to soften and to lose its structure. With proper care, you can expect your night guard or mouth guard to last a few years.

Splints

Dental splints are commonly used in dentistry to address issues related to occlusion and to treat TMJ. Splints ensure that there is even contact between teeth when they come together.

This dental device is typically made of hard acrylic material to protect the teeth from tooth wear. It is custom fitted to a patient's upper or lower teeth. Its primary purpose is to provide a stable and balanced occlusion, reducing excessive forces on the teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Bruxism - Splints can be particularly beneficial in cases of bruxism, which is the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, often occurring during sleep. By creating a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, the splint helps prevent damage to tooth enamel, minimise jaw muscle strain, and alleviate symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).

Top tips for using splints

• Wear the splint at night as most people grind their teeth at night
• Make sure the splint and your teeth are very clean before inserting it
• Only drink water once the splint is in place
• Make sure the splint clicks securely over the teeth
• Brush your splint with soap and cold water, don’t use toothpaste or warm water
• Place the splint in a mild sterilising solution once a week