There are several kinds of mouth guards: sports guards, snore guards and night guards. Some are used to prevent sports-related injuries, others are used for reducing snoring and still others are used for bruxism, to prevent teeth grinding and for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). At Ivy Rose Family Dentistry we are adept at using guards for all the above reasons. Our office location in Mansfield, Texas can help you get a custom mouth guard for your dental needs.
Athletic Mouth Guards
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), athletic mouth guards or sports guards prevent as many as 200,000 injuries every year in high school and collegiate football alone. Mouth guards are staples in other sports as well, such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Ivy Rose Family Dentistry designs sports guards that are specific to lifestyle and dental health.
Ivy Rose Family Dentistry mouth guards are less likely to interfere with your speaking. Studies show that professionally engineered mouth guards have virtually no impact on your breathing. So if you or your child plays sports, it could be best to visit us and have a custom made mouth guard created.
Night Guards
If you or a family member are prone to teeth grinding, our custom designed mouth guards can help you. Night guards prevent your teeth from meeting, thus protecting teeth from enamel loss, and also protect your temporomandibular joint or TMJ. Night guards also help protect teeth against breaking/fracturing since they prevent the teeth from touching. At Ivy Rose Family Dentistry we strongly believe in prevention and therefore highly recommend night guards for everyone that clenches and grinds teeth. There are several different kinds of guards with several thicknesses and designs depending on the severity of the case and our goals.
Remember, you have one smile and we want to protect it. Give us a call to get a professional opinion about the value that our mouth guards can provide.
Sleep Apnea and Snore Guards
With sleep apnea, your regular breathing is interrupted during sleep. This is a serious disorder that should not be taken lightly and can be attributed to a number of factors. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, our custom designed snore guards may be able to help you. There are several kinds of snore guards but the most common device moves the jaw forward and allows for an open airway. Call Ivy Rose Family Dentistry to determine if you would be a good candidate for a snore guard.
Standard vs. Custom Mouth Guards
Over-the-counter guards are less effective than customized ones. Store bought mouth guards typically come in standardized sizes and are boiled to shape. These mouth guards never fully conform to the position of your teeth. However, custom mouth guards are designed specifically for your mouth. They fulfill the criteria for adaptation, comfort, retention, and are comprised of high-grade materials. A typical custom mouth guard can last over 10 years making it a worthwhile investment in your smile.
