• Stock Mouthguards: These are the most widely used and affordable mouthguard. They’re sold in sporting shops and pharmacies. They usually come in small, medium and large. Most stock mouth-guards cover your upper teeth. However due to their limited size options they’re usually uncomfortable and they do not fit tightly. It is difficult to speak whilst wearing a stock mouthguard.

• Boil-and-Bite Mouth-guards: These are sold in most pharmacies and are relatively inexpensive. You can customise these mouthguards to fit your teeth. This involves boiling the mouthguard until it softens and placing it over your front teeth and biting down. To ensure the optimum fit please follow the instructions closely.

• Custom-made Mouth-guards: At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we make custom-made individualised mouth guards. Your highly skilled dentist will make a dental mould of your teeth and use it to create a well-fitting mouthguard specifically designed for the structure of your teeth and mouth. This provides a much better fit than either a stock or a boil-and-bite mouthguard. Custom-made mouthguards are comfortable and harder to accidentally dislodge whilst you’re sleeping. If you grind your teeth or have sleep apnea, a custom-made mouthguard is your best option. Whilst they’re more expensive than over-the-counter mouthguards, many dental insurance plans cover some or all of the cost.

Sport: Certain sport have a high risk of falling or resulting in facial injuries. A mouthguard can help protect your teeth and prevent them from injuring your lips and tongue. It’s especially important to wear a mouthguard if you play the following sports:

• rugby
• GAA
• soccer
• boxing
• basketball
• hockey
• gymnastics
• skateboarding
• cycling

Teeth Grinding: Teeth grinding and clenching are part of a condition called bruxism, which is a sleep-related movement disorder that can cause a variety of problems such as tooth pain, jaw pain and sore gums. It can also damage your teeth.  Wearing a mouthguard while you sleep can help prevent damage to your enamel and dental restorations such as fillings or crowns as your teeth are separated by the mouthguard.

Sleep Apnea: This is a potentially serious sleeping disorder which can cause a person to stop breathing temporarliy in their sleep. This can result in the brain not receiveing enough oxygen and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. This can result in excessive snoring and leave you feeling groggy the following day. Some people with sleep apnea use a CPAP machine which keeps their airways open whilst they’re sleeping. However, if a patient has mild sleep apnea, a cutom-made mouthguard can provide a similar effect. Instead of simply covering your teeth a mouthguard for sleep apnea works by pushing your lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping your airway open. Some types have a strap that goes around your head and chin to re-adjust your lower jaw.

Snoring: Mouth-guards help reduce snoring, which occurs due to the vibration of soft tissue in your upper airway. Mouthguards pull the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. If your snoring is interfering with your daily life, please call Smile Hub on 01- 5253888 or Book Online now to discuss your mouth-guard options with one of our highly skilled dentists.

• Brush and floss your teeth before wearing your mouthguard
• Rinse your mouth with mouthwash before putting your mouthguard in and out of your mouth. Avoid using hot water with your mouthguard as this can cause it to warp
• Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to gently clean it after use
• Regularly check your mouthguard for holes or cracks as this may mean that you need a replacement
• Bring your mouthguard to your dentist appointments. They can make sure that it fits properly
• Store your mouthguard in a hard container and allow it to dry between use
• Keep your mouthguard out of the reach of pets, even if the guard is in a container
• Keep in mind that mouthguards do not last forever, they generally last 2-3 years. Replace your mouthguard as soon as you start to notice any signs of wear.