Mouthguards and Night Guards

Mouthguards and Night Guards

Discover how Third Coast Family Dental's custom-fitted night guards and dental mouth guards in West Allis, WI, can protect your teeth from sports injuries and night-time conditions like bruxism and TMJ. Visit us for a consultation to find the perfect solution for you

Mouthguards and Night Guards

At Third Coast Family Dental in West Allis, WI, we offer personalized solutions to protect your dental health, including high-quality night guards and dental mouthguards. A dental mouthguard is a protective device for your mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury. These are particularly useful for sports enthusiasts and can help avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage, and tooth loss. On the other hand, night guards are designed specifically for nighttime use to combat conditions like bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding. These guards help minimize the wear and tear on your teeth and can alleviate symptoms associated with TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).

Unlike generic over-the-counter options, our custom-fitted night guards and dental mouthguards ensure a perfect fit, providing optimal protection and comfort. If you’re experiencing signs of bruxism, such as morning headaches or sore jaw muscles, or if you’re actively engaging in contact sports, consider visiting us at Third Coast Family Dental.

Image of a toothbrush and mouthguard next to one another

  • What types of dental mouthguards exist?

    There are three main types of dental mouthguards, each designed for different needs and levels of protection:

    1. Stock Mouthguards: These are pre-made and ready to wear. They are the most affordable option and can be bought at most sporting goods stores. However, because they are not customized, they may not fit well and can be bulky, making breathing and talking difficult.
    2. Boil and Bite Mouthguards: These offer a better fit than stock mouthguards. They are made from thermoplastic material and can be shaped at home to fit your teeth more closely. You simply boil them to soften the material and then bite into them to form a personalized fit. They are more comfortable and protective than stock mouthguards but still less ideal than custom-fitted ones.
    3. Custom-fitted Mouthguards: Made by a dental professional from a mold of your teeth, these mouthguards provide the best fit and protection. They are designed to accommodate your specific dental structure and are the most comfortable and effective at preventing injuries during sports or treating conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding). Although they are more expensive, their customized fit generally offers the highest level of comfort and protection.

    Choosing the right type of mouthguard depends on your specific needs, such as the level of risk involved in your sports activities or the severity of your teeth grinding.

  • Why are mouthguards important for athletes?

    Mouthguards are essential for athletes to prevent dental injuries, reduce treatment costs, and ensure comfort during sports. They are required in many contact sports and help cushion impacts that can cause severe damage to the teeth, jaw, and even the brain. By wearing a mouthguard, athletes protect themselves against immediate injuries and long-term health issues, enhancing both safety and performance in sports.

  • How do night guards treat teeth grinding?

    Night guards effectively treat teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, by providing a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. Here’s how they work:

    1. Physical Barrier: When worn during sleep, night guards act as a barrier preventing direct contact with the upper and lower teeth. This helps reduce the wear and tear on the tooth surfaces caused by grinding, which can lead to teeth chipping, flattening, or cracking.
    2. Reduction of Pressure: Night guards help distribute the force exerted by the clenching or grinding action more evenly across the jaw. This reduces pressure on any single set of teeth, preventing damage and alleviating the strain on the jaw muscles and joints.
    3. Prevention of TMJ Disorders: By lessening the strain on the jaw muscles and joints, night guards can also reduce the risk of developing or exacerbating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), often associated with chronic teeth grinding.
    4. Alleviation of Symptoms: Users often experience a reduction in bruxism-related symptoms, such as jaw soreness, headaches, and disrupted sleep, due to the cushioning effect of night guards. This can lead to a more comfortable and restful sleep.

    Overall, night guards play a crucial role in minimizing the physical damage and discomfort caused by teeth grinding by providing a cushioned, protective interface between the teeth during sleep.

More Questions?

If you have more questions about mouthguards and night guards, please give us a call and we will be happy to discuss further.

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Third Coast Family Dental

8531 W. Lincoln Avenue
West Allis, WI, 53227
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Hours

MON - WED: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
THUR: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
FRI: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Phone

414-327-2700

Email Address

[email protected]