Custom Made Mouthguards

A mouthguard generally covers the upper teeth and offers protection for the teeth, alveolar bone and soft tissue.

A mouthguard should:

• Fit well
• Be comfortable
• Be durable and easy to clean
• Not restrict speech and breathing
• Be kept in the mouthguard box when not in use
• Be checked by the dentist at your regular check ups for wear, tear and fit

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The Essentials on Mouthguards

Mouthguards play an important role in the daily life of many people, whether they use the mouthguard during recreational sports or to solve a medical problem. To learn more about mouthguards and their function, please read the information provided by the Bond Street Dental Clinic below.

The Definition of the Mouthguard

When a patient starts looking for a mouthguard, they will notice that mouthguards are available under many different names. They are sold under the name of sports guard, mouth guard and mouth protector, but they all do the same thing.

A mouthguard is a special device that is worn over the teeth. The main function of the mouthguard is the protection of the teeth, but it can also be used to elevate the symptoms of sleep apnoea, teeth grinding and snoring. Of course, the mouthguard you use must be designed specifically for that purpose. So, if you need a mouthguard for mild sleep apnoea, contact sports or something else, you should visit your dentist.

Custom-Made Mouthguards

Custom-made mouthguards are the best option to protect your teeth. These types of mouthguards are made by your dentist and especially designed for your mouth. Because they are designed for your mouth specifically, these types of mouthguards tend to be the most comfortable.

To make a custom-made mouthguard for your mouth specifically, the dentist must take some impressions of your teeth first. Based on those impressions, the dentist can construct a mouthguard that fits your mouth flawlessly.

Some athletes use a mouthguard that is provided by their club or sports coach. Unfortunately, these mouthguards only provide a minor degree of protection, because these mouthguards are not made specifically for their mouth. So, if you wish to get optimal protection during contact sports, the custom-made mouthguard is certainly the way to go.

The Bond Street Dental Clinic can provide patients with custom-made mouthguards for many different things. They can create a custom-made mouthguard for contact sports, but also mouthguards for snoring, sleep apnoea, teeth whitening and more. If you need a custom-made mouthguard, simply contact our clinic to make an appointment.

Boil and Bite Mouthguards

Boil and bite mouthguards are commonly found in sports stores and usually fit a little better than a stock mouthguard. Still, the best protection can only be provided by a custom-made mouthguard from the dentist.

A boil and bite mouthguard has a pre-made shape; this shape of the mouthguard can be changed by boiling the mouthguard in water. Then, the person in question can bite in the warm plastic to create a custom fit for themselves.

Athletes who decide to get a boil and bite mouthguard for contact sports, should follow the instructions carefully. Making mistakes during the creation of this mouthguard can cause your teeth not to be protected, or cause an uncomfortable fit that does more harm than good. However, even if you do use these mouthguards in the correct way, they never provide the protection of a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist.

Stock Mouthguards

The most affordable types of mouthguards are the stock mouthguards. These mouthguards come pre-made, so they are not made for your mouth specifically. Unfortunately, these mouthguards are commonly used by sports clubs and coaches. Therefore, athletes must often pay for their own custom-made mouthguard from the dentist.

Stock mouthguards can also be quite bulky and almost never fit comfortably. Because of the bad fit, they can also make breathing and talking more difficult when it is worn. Therefore, experts strongly advise against the use of stock mouthguards.

The Lifespan of Mouthguards

The lifespan of your mouthguard depends on the type of mouthguard you have acquired and how well you care for it. Naturally, the custom-made mouthguard is the most durable amongst all available mouthguards today, so if longevity is the most important factor to you, the custom-made mouthguard will be your best option.

To ensure your custom-made mouthguard stays in excellent condition, you must maintain it and clean it according to the guidelines provided by your dentist. It is also recommended to book a regular appointment with your dentist, who can check your mouthguard for signs of damage. When your mouthguard is too damaged to provide adequate protection, your dentist can provide you with a new custom-made mouthguard.

Sports That Require Mouthguards

There are many sports that require mouthguards. Common sports that have an increased chance of dental injuries include acrobatics, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing and more. If you are unsure if your sports require a mouthguard, please check with your dentist if you could benefit from a mouthguard.

Mouthguards for Sleep Apnoea

Mouthguards can also be used for sleep apnoea, more specifically patients with a mild form of the condition. When a mouthguard is used for sleep apnoea, it is referred to as a MAD (Mandibular Advancement Device). The Mandibular Advancement Device resembles the mouthguard that is used in sports. It covers the upper and the lower arches of the teeth and makes the lower jaw lean forward slightly. Therefore, it could provide a solution to those with snoring and sleep apnoea problems.

Dentists at the Bond Street Dental Clinic can provide patients with a mouthguard for both sleep apnoea and snoring. If you suffer from any of these problems, please make an appointment with one of our experts to acquire a custom mouthguard. In addition to mouthguards for sleep apnoea and snoring, patients can also get a special mouthguard for bruxism or teeth grinding.

More Information about Mouthguards

Do you want more information about the custom-made mouthguards available at the Bond Street Dental Clinic? Please call our team or send us an email to receive more information. Alternatively, you can make an appointment at our clinic and speak to one of our dentists about available mouthguards.

To make an appointment for a custom-made mouthguard, contact the Bond Street Dental Clinic via telephone during business hours. If you cannot call us during business hours, you can also make an appointment by filling in the online form on the website.

Mouthguards can be used for many things, so their purpose is not limited to providing protection against impact. Some of the mouthguards available at the Bond Street Dental Clinic are used as a snoring solution, teeth grinding treatment and even as a protection against teeth whitening agents. Still, no matter what you need the mouthguard for, any mouthguard can be custom-made by our experienced team of dentists and dental lab technicians at the Bond Street Dental Clinic.

To acquire your custom-made mouthguard, you must make an appointment at our Bond Street Dental Clinic. During your appointment, a dentist will evaluate your dental health and discuss the reasons you wish to obtain the mouthguard for with you. Then, the dentist will take some impressions of your teeth and create a mouthguard for the purpose you have reported. We do need to mention that the creation of a mouthguard cannot be done on the same day, because the impressions must be sent to a dental lab technician first. Once the impressions are received, the dental lab technician will create your mouthguard and send it back to the Bond Street Dental Clinic. Then, you can come in for another appointment, where you can try-in the mouthguard and ensure it fits comfortably.