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.