Bite Guards

Bite guards are great dental appliances made to protect the teeth and mouth from injury.  Mouth protection is extremely important during contact sports and for patients who are chronically grinding and clenching their teeth.  Teeth clenchers generally need a mouthguard when they are sleeping, referred to as night guards. 

Sports injuries can not only be painful but expensive.  The cost of a mouth guard is much less than the cost of a dental injury. 

The best mouthguards are custom-fitted to the patient’s mouth for maximum protection, although some stock mouth protectors are available at sporting goods stores that come preformed and ready to wear.  These preformed mouthguards tend to be bulky and provide little-to-no protection.   The mouth protectors that have to be boiled and formed to the mouth will provide better protection.  Patients should be very careful not to burn their mouths during this process. 

Dr. Mack Wright can advise each patient on the best type of mouthguard available for their needs.  Any guard should be well-fitting, comfortable, and easy to clean.  There should be no obstruction to breathing or speech. 

Nightguards are made to prevent tooth damage from the pressure of nighttime grinding.  This type of grinding is unavoidable, as the patient is not aware of it unless there are symptoms of morning headaches or jaw pain (or obviously the tooth damage). 

Call 937-652-4111 to make an appointment for a bite guard consultation.