A mouthguard protects the mouth from injury in contact sports like soccer, boxing and ice hockey, or Bruxism (grinding of teeth).
Mouthguards are essential in sports where potentially dangerous impacts to the face and teeth are possible, and can reduce the damage of concussion from jaw injuries.
Mouthguards can also act as a splint for inflamed temporomandibular (jaw) joints to reduce pain, and prevent damage from grinding or gnashing of teeth during sleep.
For sports enthusiasts or people diagnosed with Bruxism or temporomandibular disorder, a mouthguard can help prevent long term dental problems.
Teeth grinding (Bruxism) is a common dental problem in modern society, and can happen when you’re awake (awake bruxism) or even unconsciously when you’re asleep (sleep bruxism). While mild Bruxism often involves the clenching, grinding or gnashing of teeth, it is often not a cause for concern.
However, for more severe cases, Bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
An occlusal splint can help protect the surfaces of your teeth from attrition or occlusal wear. Occlusal splints are similar to mouthguards. They are also known as “night guards” or “bite splints”. When worn, this acts as a splint for inflamed temporomandibular (jaw) joints to reduce pain, and prevents damage to your natural teeth from grinding or gnashing of teeth (Bruxism).