Mouth guards help prevent trauma to your teeth during high risk activities. Both professional and amateur athletes should wear mouth guards while participating in contact sports.
Certain mouth guards also protect patients from grinding their teeth in their sleep. These guards are often called “night guards”. This grinding habit is referred to as “bruxism” and can lead to headaches. It can be a result of TMJ temporomandibular joint disorder.
Your doctor can provide a custom fitting mouth guard or night guard to protect your smile. Often times, when a patient has had cosmetic dental procedures, the dentist will recommend a night guard to protect their smile.
There are many kinds of mouth guards made of a variety of materials. Some patients find certain brands fit better. Ask your doctor about your options if you are considering a night guard or mouth guard.