A mouthguard is an oral device made of soft plastic or laminate. There are different types with an aim to protect your teeth, tongue, gums, and cheeks from teeth grinding, trauma, and injuries.
Why do you need a mouthguard
Protection from Teeth Grinding
If you grind or clench your teeth, a bruxism mouth guard will protect your teeth from damage and can ease other teeth grinding symptoms.
This device is custom-made to fit over your teeth and prevent them from touching during sleep.
In some cases, wearing a mouthguard may be all that's needed to stop teeth grinding altogether, but this usually involves addressing the root cause of the problem rather than just the symptoms.
Prevents Snoring
A mouthguard can be used to treat sleep apnea - a common disorder affecting millions of people globally.
The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in your throat relax and close off your airway, leading to snoring and periods of time when you stop breathing while you sleep.
A custom mouth guard snore guard) from PretoriaSmile Orthodontics will help treat sleep apnea by exerting force on your lower jaw. By pushing your jaw and tongue forward, the snore guard stops the muscles in your throat from closing. This allows you to breathe easier all night long.
Sport Injuries
If you play contact sports like rugby, hockey, or any other activity that puts your mouth at risk of injury, a mouthguard can offer vital protection.
A mouthguard can protect the teeth as well as the jaw, tongue, lips, and other parts of the mouth and face, especially during contact sports such as rugby, soccer, and hockey.
It could prevent their teeth from getting chipped, cracked, or knocked out altogether.
How to look after your mouthguard
Maintaining, cleaning, and caring for your mouthguard is important to help prevent infection and the spread of disease. This also helps keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Brush and floss your teeth before wearing your mouthguard.
- Do not chew on your mouthguard, since this can distort its shape.
- Never throw your mouthguard in with dirty, sweaty gear.
- After each use, wash your mouthguard with cool water.
- Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash.
- Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated, plastic storage box when not in use.
- Avoid bending your mouthguard.
- Heat can damage a mouthguard; don’t leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle.
- Do not handle or wear someone else’s mouthguard; never share your own.
- Do not try to change the fit of your mouthguard yourself; have your dentist adjust it.
Call your dentist if you experience any of the following warning signs of wearing a contaminated mouthguard: difficulty breathing, wheezing, diarrhea, and nausea to the point of vomiting.
Book a mouth guard fitting in Pretoria
Whether you need a mouthguard for sports, to stop you grinding your teeth or for other reasons, make an appointment with our orthodontist in Pretoria so we can discuss your options.