Protect Your Teeth With Mouth Guards

What are mouth guards?

A mouth guard is a dental appliance made of plastic material most commonly used to protect teeth from injury during athletic activities or tooth damage caused by tooth grinding. There are three different kinds of mouth guards available on the market today, although they are not all created equal. We will discuss them below in order of their effectiveness and give you an idea of what you can expect from each in terms of ease of use.

Preformed mouth guards

Preformed or stock tooth protectors are inexpensive and are sold ready to wear. They can be purchased at any sporting goods or drug store but offer limited options in terms of customizability. Although they are recommended for use in sports they are impractical and too bulky to be used as overnight mouth guards to protect against grinding.

Boil-and-bite mouth guards

Thermoplastic mouth guards can often be found on the same shelves as preformed mouth guards, but are a better option for those looking to protect their teeth from nighttime damage due to clenching and grinding. Made from thermo-formable plastic, they are dipped into hot or boiling water to soften them, then placed into the mouth where they are bitten down upon in order to create a mold of the teeth using the tongue and fingers.

Custom-fitted mouth guards

Custom-made mouth guards are designed specifically for your teeth and made in your dentist’s office. At Castle Rock Family Dental, we specialize in this procedure and will make an accurate impression of your teeth, which we then use to mold your custom-fitted mouth guard made of special, dental composite material. Although the custom mouth guard may cost more than stock or boiled mouth guards, there is simply no comparison in terms of comfort and protection, which is why we recommend their use over anything else on the market.

If you are concerned about your tooth grinding or potential dental injury during sports, I encourage you to give us a call at 303-688-2229 or visit our website. In addition to our contact details you will also find information about our custom-fit nocturnal bite plates and mouth guards as well as the full range of dental care services we offer.

What You Need To Know About Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening Options And Safety

Teeth whitening is an incredibly popular procedure these days and has become a very popular cosmetic dentistry option, with dozens of companies offering a dazzling variety of do-it-yourself whiteners and bleaches that people can use in their own homes. The belief that whiter teeth communicate youth and attractiveness is deeply ingrained in our psyche and causes some people to try any new product that comes on the market in pursuit of brighter, shinier teeth. But, is it safe to go it alone and use over the counter products to attempt to whiten one’s own teeth?

Perhaps the most popular tooth whitening option on the market today is the ubiquitous whitening toothpaste. Although they have become quite commonplace, they have been criticized for being abrasive and wearing away the enamel of the user’s teeth. Furthermore, the hydrogen peroxide which is often used as a bleaching agent in these toothpastes is now thought to be both responsible for weakening teeth and possibly carcinogenic.

Aside from toothpastes, home-use tooth bleaching kits are another popular option for those in pursuit of stain-free teeth. These kits are comprised of trays which the user fills with hydrogen peroxide and wears at night for a length of up to two weeks. Although such kits claim to be able to dramatically whiten teeth the risks associated with the in-home use of hydrogen peroxide over such a long period of time cannot be overstated and people should consider whether or not it is worth it in the long run.

So, are there any safe options for tooth whitening? It may come as no surprise that tooth whitening is best done by the professionals but it needs to be said in a market flooded with DIY products. At Castle Rock Family Dental, we know how to correctly use tooth whiteners and bleaches to prevent damage and over-exposure to potentially carcinogenic chemicals. We also have the facilities to ensure that all procedures are carried out safely, hygienically and effectively—something that cannot be said for an OTC kit you use in your bathroom before going to bed. In fact, when done by a dentist, even a hydrogen peroxide bleaching can be safe because the chemical only comes into contact with tooth enamel, which is not a living tissue. In addition to chemical bleaching we can also offer you the option of laser whitening—an approach that you can get over the counter.

In short, tooth whitening can be a great way to improve your smile, but as with most things, you should leave it to the professionals to get the best results. 

Give us a call at 303-688-2229 or visit our website at http://castlerockfamilydental.com to schedule your appointment today!