Mouthguards and Splints Dentistry in Parkwood, Queensland

There are three types of mouthguards – stock mouth protectors, boil and bite, and custom-made.

Stock mouth protectors are mouthguards easily purchased in drugstores and most sport centres. They are ready to wear items and may not fit the mouth perfectly. They offer the least protection among the three.

The second type, boil and bite, are also purchased in drugstores. Before they can be worn, boil and bite mouthguards have to be soaked in hot water, then shaped and fitted to the teeth.

The final type, custom-made, offers optimum protection. They are skillfully crafted by dentists, based on your unique measurements. Custom-fitted mouthguards perfectly fit the teeth and are made of durable materials to withstand force. When worn, they do not hamper speaking and breathing, unlike the other types.

• Durable
• Unique to your measurements
• Flexible to your movements
• Do not hamper breathing or speaking
• Significantly lessen injuries
• Comfortable
• Can be personalised

Your teeth can be damaged, even during sleep, due to a jaw disease called bruxism. Bruxism is the excessive and unconscious meeting and grinding of the upper and lower teeth. It can happen during the day, but is most prevalent at night.

Because the teeth are tough, the effects of bruxism are not easily seen, making them hard to identify by yourself. Over time, the teeth will chip, flatten, crack, and may even work loose.

Bruxism sufferers also experience jaw sore in the morning, sometimes with headache and earache.

The condition does not have a known cause, but research studies show that stress and ADHD are linked to it.

Treatment includes jaw exercise, conscious elimination of stressors and wearing night splints. Night splints function like a mouthguard but are worn during sleep. As the two arches meet and clench, the teeth are protected.

Smokers and alcoholics have a higher risk of having dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Also, keep yourself hydrated to avoid a dry mouth.

Ask your dentist or search the web for effective dental tools you can use. Some examples are the electronic brush, tongue scraper, oral irrigators, and zip rings.

Good oral hygiene practices are your first defense against dental problems but they are not enough. You need a trusted dental partner to cover those areas you can’t handle.

A dental checkup includes a professional cleaning for optimum removal of plaque, particularly in the molars and other areas which are difficult to brush. Oral cancer screening and other diagnostic tests are also done during a dental check up.

We recommend two dental check ups a year, or once every six months.