Mouthguards

Mouthguards are also known as mouth protectors. They come in various guises and are used to help many bad habits or conditions that can injure your jaw and teeth such as teeth grinding, bruxism or sleep apnoea. They provide a cushion over your teeth to minimise any risks or any injury to your mouth, jaw or teeth during sleep or contact sports such as Rugby, Lacrosse, or Boxing. Mouthguards are a great way to protect the soft tissue of your lips, cheek lining and your tongue.

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching is also called Bruxism. It is often related to stress or anxiety and can easily become a habit. Most people who clench their jaws and grind their teeth are often unaware that they are evening doing it. It usually occurs during sleep.

Teeth grinding does not always cause bad symptoms, some people are unaware that it is even occurring, but excessive teeth grinding often leads to some people getting facial pain and headaches, it can also wear down your teeth over time. 

There are two types of bruxism: One occurs during sleep which is called nocturnal bruxism. The second one occurs while you are awake which is called awake bruxism. The dental damage is similar in both types, sleep bruxism tends to be worst when you’re asleep and unconscious of anything that is occurring and improves during the day. Awake bruxism, on the other hand, is usually at its worst as the day progresses and lessens while you are sleeping. 

There are many causes that could be the reason as to why you are grinding your teeth. The cause of your teeth grinding may not always be clear, but it is usually linked to factors such as stress, anxiety or sleep problems. Here are a few reasons as to why you may be grinding your teeth: 

Stress: Teeth grinding is most often a side effect of anxiety and stress and many people are also not aware that they even do it. Especially if you are grinding your teeth in your sleep. If you wake up with jaw or facial pain, headaches or broken teeth or fillings, that is a sign that you are probably grinding your teeth in your sleep. 

Medication: Teeth grinding can also sometimes be a side effect of taking certain types of medicine. It is often linked to types of antidepressant. If you are under any medication and you are grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist and GP about your options. 

Sleep disorders: If you have a sleep disorder or you snore, it is more likely that you will grind your teeth while you sleep. 

Lifestyle: If your lifestyle includes drinking alcohol, smoking or using recreational drugs such as cocaine or ecstasy or having a lot of caffeinated drinks, then these factors are likely to make your teeth grind or make it worse. 

If you are unconsciously clenching your teeth when you are awake or asleep you may experience symptoms that will make you aware that you may be grinding your teeth.

Signs and symptoms of Bruxism include: 

• Sleep disruption
• Teeth that are flattened, chipped or loose
• Worn tooth enamel
• Tired or tight jaw muscles 
• Increase tooth pain or sensitivity 
• Face, jaw or neck pain or soreness

If you are grinding your teeth at night you may experience these symptoms in the morning. If you are experiencing these symptoms then go to your local GP or book a dental appointment as soon as you can so you can get the necessary treatment. 

The most popular method to help you  stop grinding your teeth at night is to wear a mouthguard. Treatment by mouth guards is similar to the mouth guard you would wear at a sporting event like rugby. A mouth guard can be rubber or plastic and can be specially made by a dentist to fit your mouth. Also, you can pick up a mouth guard at many sporting good stores and supermarkets that have a pharmacy, but it’s unlikely that it will fit as well as a custom-made one. 

Although a custom-made mouth guard from your dentist is a great option to prevent grinding, there is also another choice that you can consider. A mouth splint will also help you to stop grinding your teeth at night. The splint is made from a harder plastic and fits precisely over your upper or lower teeth. The effect is the same with mouth guards but the difference is that mouth guards usually only last less than a year but a mouth splint can last you several years.

They are used to cushion the teeth and jaws in the event of an impact. They can offer protection against jaw injuries, teeth breaking, cuts to the lip or tongue.

Sports mouth-guards cushion the teeth and jaw in the event of an impact. They usually cover the upper teeth and are used as a form of protection against jaw and tooth injuries. The mouth-guard creates a form of protection as it works as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent them from crashing together during impact as well as protect the teeth from being hit by something that can injure your mouth. 

To learn more about mouthguards, visit or contact one of our practices in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey.

Although, like anything, when you are first fitted with one of these, it will feel strange, by persisting with it and getting it adjusted until it is comfortable, eventually, you will get used to it. The more it is worn, the more your teeth will be protected against fractures and jaw ache and the more your muscles will be given time to relax.

Contact the Neem Tree today to find out more about bruxism and mouthguards in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey.