Splints/Mouthguards in Plano, TX

A mouthguard is a mouth-protective device covering teeth and gums. Most used by athletes, it can protect the teeth from injuries during physical contact or impact. Certain sports, such as football and hockey, require participants to wear a mouthguard to protect themselves from a chipped tooth or a tooth injury due to a brutal hit to the face.

At Lutke Dental, people also wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth at night while they sleep. Grinding your teeth while you sleep puts pressure on the jaw muscles and can lead to TMJ disorder. These easy-to-wear guards fit over the teeth to prevent contact with the gums.

Types of Mouthguards

• Stock mouthguards are inexpensive and can be found at most drug and sporting goods stores. They are made of plastic materials and are pre-formed to your mouth for a custom fit.
• Boil-and-bite mouthguards offer a better fit than stock mouthguards. To use boil-and-bite mouthguards, you soften them in boiling water and then bite into them to form them into your mouth's shape. They are also more customizable than the stock option but tend to wear down quickly because they are not as well made.
• Your dentist makes custom-made mouthguards. The dentist takes impressions of your upper teeth as well as your lower teeth and then constructs the mouthguard specifically for your mouth. They can last many years and provide excellent protection and comfort than a store-bought or boil-and-bite mouthguard.

The Benefits of Using a Mouthguard

Athletes who play sports or participate in physical activities are at higher risk of suffering oral injuries, including chipped teeth, dislodged fillings, and damage to the soft tissues of their mouth. A custom-fit mouthguard protects your teeth, lips, cheeks, and other oral tissues from impact. It also creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth to prevent you from biting your cheek, lip, or tongue during a game or practice. Wearing a custom-made mouthguard can also help prevent concussions by preventing the jaw from breaking during impact. Additionally, wearing a mouthguard can prevent teeth and tissue from becoming loose following an impact on the chin, face, or neck. This will ultimately reduce the risk of losing a tooth entirely.

Custom-made mouthguards are especially beneficial for athletes wearing orthodontic appliances or braces. These devices must be protected because they are more fragile than other teeth. A full-mouth mouthguard will protect your entire smile without interfering with the functionality of your braces.

Patients who suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) may also benefit from wearing night guards to keep their teeth from grinding against their mandibular joints at night. Without a custom-fitted guard, patients may experience damage to their enamel and pain in their jaw due to abrasions. Night guards can help alleviate TMJD symptoms and prevent further damage to oral health.