Our dentists provide mouth guards to help protect your teeth and smile. Here at Nelson & Bury Dentistry we offer both night guards and sports mouth guards to meet your needs, and we will take the time to ensure that your appliance is custom-made and fits your mouth perfectly. To learn more about mouth guards in Rapid City, South Dakota, and schedule a consultation with Dr. James Nelson, Dr. Matthew Bury and Dr. Mandy Nelson, call us today at 605-341-3670.
There are two main types of mouth guards – night guards and sports mouth guards. Night guards are used to protect your teeth while you sleep. They are most frequently used to treat bruxism (habitual teeth grinding and clenching) but may also be recommended for TMJ disorders or other problems. Night guards prevent your teeth from grinding against each other while you sleep, helping you avoid tooth damage and other problems that affect your oral health and function. Some common signs of nighttime teeth grinding and clenching include:
- Chronic jaw, facial and ear pain
- Frequent migraines and tension headaches
- A tired or tight feeling in the jaw when waking up
- Excessive tooth wear
- Chipped, flat, cracked or worn teeth
- Indentations on the sides of the tongue
- Increased tooth sensitivity
Sports mouth guards are used to protect the teeth during athletic activities. Sports guards are designed to fit comfortably over your teeth and work to prevent injuries such as chipped or knocked-out teeth, as well as damage to your tongue, lips, cheeks and gums. Additionally, custom mouth guards reduce the likelihood of jaw and neck injuries while playing sports. This type of mouth guard is often required for high-contact sports, such as wrestling, football, hockey, rugby, soccer, basketball and boxing. It can also be highly beneficial in individual athletic activities such as running or biking. Even if a mouth guard is not required to participate in an athletic activity or sport, we recommend that you consider using one just in case.
You can purchase generic “stock” mouth guards at most local sporting goods stores, but we recommend that you meet with our dentists to receive a customized mouth guard. Customized mouth guards provide better protection and are more comfortable to wear.
For more information about night guards and sports mouth guards and to schedule an appointment with our dentists, please contact our office today.