Night Guards

Colorado Spring Dentist | Crossroads Family Dentistry > Night Guards

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Night Guards - Bite Guards

Most of us subconsciously grind our teeth in times of stress or even during sleep. When the strong force of the teeth and jaws come together, it can cause grinding and microfractures, resulting in prematurely worn teeth and tooth sensitivity. Our doctors at Crossroads Family Dentistry offer night guards to protect teeth from becoming prematurely worn or damaged. For nighttime use only, these professional mouthguards can prevent painful jaws, tooth damage, and even TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) issues. When someone habitually grinds his or her teeth, it is called bruxism, a common condition that affects 10% of adults and as many as 15% of children.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause moderate to severe long-term damage to teeth. Constant grinding wears down the surface of the tooth, exposing the soft dentin beneath the enamel. This is why it’s important to protect your teeth while you sleep by wearing a bite guard. Bruxism can even cause a root fracture below the gum line, requiring a root canal and crown to restore the damaged tooth.

Why A Professional Mouthguard?

We use quality night guards, depending on the needs of the patient. Each mouthguard is custom-fitted to your mouth structure, to offer the best comfort. Using store-bought boil-and-bite mouthguards can result in an uncomfortable fit and inferior materials that could cause bite problems. The right quality night guard will not only protect your teeth, but provide you with a peace of mind. Do you or your children ever wake up with jaw pain or think you might be grinding your teeth? Schedule a consultation with us to discuss getting a custom-fit night guard. In just one visit, we can evaluate your grinding habits and take an impression of your smile.

Some damage that can occur includes:

  • Chipped teeth
  • Tooth flattening and tooth wear
  • Cracked tooth enamel
  • Cracked, loose or broken fillings
  • Tooth loss
  • Gum recession
  • Tooth collapse

Athletic Mouthguards

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, you can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Custom-fitted :

These are made specifically for you by your dentist. They may be more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized, usually offer the best fit.

Stock :

These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. However, they often don't fit well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.

Boil and bite :

These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting goods stores and drugstores, and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They are first softened in water (boiled), then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth.