Mouth guards provide an inexpensive way to protect your smile, open airways or prevent grinding during sleep, and even preserve the benefits of orthodontic treatment. This wide range of benefits is matched by a broad array of mouth guard choices. Below, trusted San Diego area dentist Dr. Jennifer D. Santoro discusses the importance of mouth guards, on and off the athletic field.
Safety First
Athletes of all ages and experience levels, from pro hockey players to backyard tag football enthusiasts, wear mouth guards to protect teeth from trauma.
The best mouth guards are the least intrusive, allowing normal speaking and breathing. These mouth protectors are usually fitted to protect teeth in the upper jaw, but lower jaw versions are available for those who have fragile dental work, such as orthodontic fasteners, bridgework or partial dentures.
Mouth guards do more than protect teeth. By cushioning sharp blows to the face, they can also prevent damage to the lips, tongue, cheeks, chin, jaw, joints and neck — and can even lessen the chance of an athlete suffering a concussion or brain hemorrhage.
Made for You
Dr. Santoro can create a custom-fit mouth guard that will provide maximum protection and comfort. The first step is making an impression of your teeth that will be used to design your mouth guard. You can choose material that is flexible or more rigid, soft on the inside or even made of special material for patients who are allergic to acrylics.
In customizing your mouth guard, Dr. Santoro will consider your age and the sport you will be playing. Mouth guards for adolescents will need to be adjusted as the young player grows. And some sports, such as football, hockey and lacrosse, require extra protection.
Mouth guards are recommended for less vigorous sports, as well. In addition to football, ice hockey and lacrosse, the American Dental Association advises the use of a mouth guard for soccer, field hockey, basketball, boxing, discus throwing, gymnastics, squash, handball, racquetball, rugby, martial arts, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling and even surfing.
Jaws Too
Mouth guards are not just for athletes. Night guards, occlusal splints, bite splints and bite planes are used for both the upper and lower jaw, and are prescribed for conditions ranging from jaw and neck pain to worn tooth enamel and sleep apnea.
They are particularly effective for bruxism, the medical term for nighttime clenching of the jaw muscles and grinding of the teeth. Anterior deprogrammers are a variety of mouth protectors that are used in cases of severe bruxism to relax jaw muscles day and night. This class of mouthguard includes NTI (nociception trigeminal inhibitors), B (bruxism) splints and Kois appliances. These devices work by separating upper and lower teeth, often with something as simple as a plastic covering for the two front teeth.
To schedule your appointment, or to learn more about the benefits of mouth guards, call Dr. Santoro at (858) 566-8510, or email Village Center Dentistry in Scripps Ranch today.
