Mouth Guards
A mouth guard is a protective device for the mouth
that covers the teeth and sometimes the gums. Mouth guards are often used to
protect the teeth from injury during sports, and from teeth grinding.
When a child participates in a sporting or recreational
activity, injuries can occur. A mouth guard is an important piece of protective
equipment. Coaches and team members know that mouth guards help to cushion the
blow that would otherwise cause injury to the teeth, lips, face, and sometimes
even jaw fractures.
Another reason a child would need to wear a mouth
guard is if he or she suffered from what is known as bruxism. Bruxism is the
medical term for clinching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth. Most of the
time, bruxism occurs while a child is sleeping or when he or she is under
stress. Bruxism is common among children, but most will outgrow it. Wearing a
mouth guard (night guard) can help to minimize the effects of bruxism.
There are three different types of mouth guards:
1.) Stock mouth protectors
are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be found at
most drug stores or sporting goods stores. Not much can be done to adjust their
fit, and some say they are bulky.
Stock
mouth protector
2.) Boil
and bite mouth protectors can also be bought at most drug stores or
sporting goods stores. This type of mouth guard may offer a better fit than
stock mouth protectors. The boil and bite mouth protector is made to be placed
in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth to be shaped around the teeth,
gums and lips using tongue and finger pressure.
Boil
and bite mouth protector
3.) Custom fitted mouth protectors
are made in a dental laboratory to specifically fit an individual’s mouth. The first step in this process is for a
dental office to take an impression of the individual’s mouth/teeth. Next a
model is made, and a mouth guard is molded over the model using special
material. Often times, the custom fitted mouth protector provides the most
comfort and protection.
Custom
fit mouth protector
If you have any questions about mouth guards or
their uses, please contact our office at 333-kids.
