Dental Mouth Guards

What are the different types of dental mouth guards?

Dental mouth guards/gum shields can be used for different reasons and functions.

Whether it is to prevent you from grinding or snoring at night or to protect your teeth during contact sports, your dentist will recommend which type of guard will be suitable for your needs.

You will need a consultation with your dentist to assess and discuss your treatment options. Once the appropriate type of dental mouth guard has been chosen then an impression or 3D digital scan will be taken of you teeth. This will then be submitted to our technicians to create your bespoke mouth guard which is crafted from a durable, tasteless and high quality material. It will then be fitted around 1-2 weeks later at your next appointment.   

What are the benefits of dental mouth guards?

– Sports mouth guards help cushion a blow to the face which minimises the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, soft tongue tissue, face or jaw.

– Dental mouth guards are individually crafted to fit your teeth perfectly for maximised comfort.

– Your teeth are protected from chipping or being worn down.

– They are not bulky and will not make breathing or talking difficult which is the case with generic store bought mouth guards.

While the alternative cheaper options of “off-the-shelf” gum shields may be more appealing, is their compromised ability to fulfil their purpose worth the potential risks and harm to your teeth and gums? You may end up spending more money to fix any issues that arise from using a generic gum shield that can fall out easily.

If you are a sportsman get a custom gumshield as soon as possible!

Custom Made Dental Mouth Guards

Dental mouth guards/gum shields are the most effective and safe when custom-made by a dentist. Custom made dental mouth guards have the following advantage over generic “boil and bite” guards available online:

– They fit your mouth properly, creating a snug fit that prevents the gumshield from falling out or being knocked out

– Bespoke dental mouth guards allow for maximised comfort

– If you are allergic to certain materials then a mouth guard can be made considering your allergies

– You’ll receive high quality care and advice from an expert dental practitioner

How are custom dental mouth guards made?

The process is very simple and can be done in just 2 visits:

1ST VISIT: Your dentist will assess if your teeth and gums are healthy before commencing with an impression or a 3D digital scan. That will then be sent with the exact measurements and irregularities of your teeth unlike the over-the-counter mouth guards.

2ND VISIT: Your bespoke dental mouth guard will be fitted to see if any minor adjustments need to be made for maximised comfort and the perfect fit.

Here are some alternatives you can use while your custom gumshield is still in the works. These are primarily for sports use.

Over-the-Counter Gum Shields

Ready-made or stock mouth guards are available for anyone looking for a quick solution. However, you cannot make any adjustments to ready-made mouth guards, as they are sold as ready to wear for all customers.

The lack of variation in fit and size is a potential threat to your gums and teeth. If you prolong the usage of non-custom gum shields, the devices may misalign your teeth.

Boil and Bite or Mouth Adapted

There is a relatively new thermoplastic type of mouth guard that is already formed, offered in different sizes for your choosing. And while they are not custom-made from the start, they provide a slightly better fit using a heating and moulding of your mouth process.

Usually, the way you use it is to warm it up to soften the material and place it in your mouth. Then, it will take the shape of your teeth and harden.

While it provides a slightly better fit to your mouth the customisation is still inferior to bespoke mouth guards and will not provide adequate protection and relatively less comfortable.

If you need a night guard, sports guard, anti-snoring or sleep apnoea device, book an appointment today for longer lasting and comfortable mouth guards.

Do you suffer from teeth grinding?

Teeth grinding is a condition known as bruxism which may cause damage to your teeth and result in other issues such as TMJ problems. Bruxism can lead to earache, neck pain, a sore jaw and also headaches. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms when you wake up then contact us, so we can hep get you out of pain. Your dentist will be able to assess your mouth and bite to recommend the correct mouth guard for you. If you do grind your teeth then a night guard may be recommended as a solution to your problem.

All our night guards are bespoke made to fit your mouth and teeth. This helps to maximise comfort whilst you sleep, making sure you are undisturbed at night. The mouth guard is designed to protect your teeth at night and prevent you from wearing your teeth down and reduce clenching of the jaw muscles.

There are a few options when it comes to a night guard. They are as follows: 

Michigan and Tanner Splints/Appliances

Both ‘Michigan’ and ‘Tanner’ splints are appliances that may be used to treat patients who suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and also help control bruxism and parafunctional habits. The splints were developed to establish neuromuscular harmony when chewing and promote the correct functional habits of the jaw muscles and joints. The appliances balance out the occlusion and allow your jaw to move freely and smoothly over the guard with out any interference. The opposing arch that comes into contact with the splint will bite with a bilateral contact of force which will greatly reduce the force generated by the jaw muscles and cause them to relax over time.

The difference between a Tanner and Michigan splint is where the are fitted in the mouth. A Michigan splint is fitted on the upper row of teeth and a Tanner splint is on the lower. Both night guards are made of a hard resin.

To find out which appliance would be more suitable for your needs, contact us to book an assessment, where our skilled and experienced dentists can help.

Snoring is far more common than you think and research has shown that it becomes worse as you get older.

Snoring doesn’t cause harm or discomfort but it can be a nuisance for those who are close to you at night. It can also be frustrating if it affects your sleep. If it leads to sleep deprivation, then that can affect your physical wellbeing, mental health and your performance and productivity at work.

It may not be your first thought that a dentist would be able to provide treatment for snoring but it is certainly something they can help with.

What are the causes of snoring?

There are a range of reasons why we snore. These include our age, the anatomy of our airways, sinuses and mouth, alcohol consumption, your weight, allergies or a cold. When you fall asleep, the muscles that are in your nose, throat, tongue and mouth relax which cause your airways to narrow. When air enters your airway system the now relaxed tissue walls are more likely to vibrate which results in the noise known to us as snoring.

Sleep apnoea is the further narrowing or complete closure of the airways in your throat when you are asleep. The complete collapse or blockage of your throat stops you breathing for a short period of time. This may cause you to wake up gasping for breath and can sometimes feel like a choking sensation. Most people who have sleep apnoea will fall back to sleep quite quickly and be totally unaware or have any memory of it the following morning.

This will happen many times during the night and will cause you to feel very tired when it is time to wake up. Your sleeping pattern will be completely disturbed and this may affect your mental and physical health.

The most common type of sleep apnoea is know as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). If your OSA becomes worse then this can cause heart issues such as high blood pressure, heart failure and arrhythmia.   

What are the causes of sleep apnoea?

Just like snoring, sleep apnoea is is more common in men than women between the ages of 30 and 60, however it is possible for you to get it at any age. 

If you:

– smoke

– are overweight

– have another close relative who also has sleep apnoea

– sleep on your back

– use sedatives to sleep

– consume a large amount of alcohol

– are older

then you are far more likely to suffer from sleep apnoea.

How can we help?

If you snore and would like to do something about it then speak to your dentist at your next general check-up or if it’s your first time then book a consultation to find out how we can help.

During your assessment, we will ask you questions and examine your mouth. Your dentist may not be able to diagnose sleep apnoea, but they are able to recognise the symptoms and recommend you to see your GP.

At Holford Partners Curaden, we can provide treatment for snoring with the use of a custom made anti-snoring device. This can also be used whilst you wait for your diagnosis of sleep apnoea after being recommend by your dentist to consult our GP.

How do anti-snoring devices work?

Restricted airflow happens when the jaw falls to the back of the mouth when relaxed during sleep, thus forcing air between the tongue and the back of the throat, making the throat vibrate loudly – resulting in snoring.

Our custom anti-snoring and sleep apnoea mouth guards are purposefully designed to be worn whilst you sleep at night to keep your airways open. They work by bringing the lower jaw forward, which prevents it from falling back and closing your airways. Their appearance is similar to that of a sports mouth guard and their customised shape will allow the appliance to fit securely over your teeth.

You may be able to find generic snoring appliances online however they are far less effective because they are a one size fits all and are not specifically moulded to your mouth for comfort and to ensure if fits securely.

Some sports involve contact, where the players physically interact with each other and this can be high-risk for your mouth. Sports such as rugby, hockey, and boxing can lead to your teeth, mouth and soft tissues becoming injured if not properly protected.

This can be prevented by having a bespoke sports mouth guard made. Sports mouth guards can sometimes also be called gum shields. It will drastically decrease the risk of injury and damage to your teeth and the possible danger of dislocating your jaw whilst playing.

Over the counter sports mouth guards do not offer the same level of protection that a custom made sports mouth guard provides. A custom made guard is the best option for contact sports as they are customised to fit your mouth perfectly and securely. What you don’t want is for a sports mouth guard to fall out during a blow to the face or mouth, as that would defeat the purpose of wearing one. A bespoke mouth guard will also allow you to breath easily and speak clearly.

You have the choice of a range of colours and designs to personalise your mouth guard. It could be your favourite colour or even the colours of the team you support or play for.

If you are looking to get a custom sports mouth guard to protect your smile, give us a call on 020 7499 9806 or email us.

How much do mouth guards cost?

We offer a full range of mouth guards which vary in shape, size and function. 

Sports Guard ……………….. from £280

Anti-Snoring Device ……………….. from £550

Night Guard ……………….. from £250

Tanner Appliance ……………….. from £500

Michigan Splint ……………….. from £500

See our Full Price List (Prices may be subject to change). For more information please feel free to contact us on 020 7499 9806 or at smile@holfordcuraden.com