Mouth guards or sports guards prevent injury while playing sports. They are also worn by people suffering from Bruxism (clenching and grinding the teeth). Both children and adults wear a night guard when they are sleeping to prevent tooth damage.
Proper fit for a dental guard can prevent pain, jaw stiffness, and poor dental alignment. If you have a tooth guard that doesn’t fit well, is broken or eroded, you can put your teeth at risk of damage. It is essential to have a custom fitted mouth guard.
Although night guards and mouth guards are made from durable materials, know when to replace them to give your teeth the best care.
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ToggleReplacing a Sports Guard
It is important for both children and adults to wear a sports guard when playing contact sports to protect their teeth from injuries and damage. A sports guard, or athletic mouth guard, is actively worn for a number of hours at a time causing high intensity wear. A recommended guideline is to replace a sports guard after each season or every six months.
Replacing a Child’s or Teenager’s Night Guard or Mouth Guard
As children’s teeth are still developing, replace a new night or mouth guard every six months. As their jaws are still growing and teeth moving, a new mouth guard will need to properly fit as they continue to develop.
Replacing an Adult Night Guard or Mouth Guard
The replacement of a night or mouth guard can vary greatly from person to person depending on how severely you’re grinding or clenching your teeth. Each individual will wear away the structure or a guard at a different pace.
Watch for signs of wear on the night guard or if it starts to feel like it is not fitting properly. Pay attention to any dirt or odour as these can be other signs that it is time to come in for a replacement. Discolouration could mean that bacteria is starting to build up and you’ll want to get your mouth or night guard replaced before it affects your dental health.
All Dental Guards
Dental teeth guards will lose their effectiveness as the thickness recedes. When there is less protective material on the device, the dental guard is unable to provide strong protection. If your device has become deformed through chewing on it or some other means, get it replaced. Get a new guard if you notice any cracks or tears.
If a person has had a dental procedure or lost a tooth, a new mold will need to be made to fit the new outline of teeth. This includes when a child loses a tooth.
Book an Appointment For a Custom Fit
Waking up with a sore mouth or teeth is another sign you need a replacement. If this is happening to you, book an appointment to see Dr. Beeram to make sure there are no other underlying issues.
When it is time to get a new custom mouthguard or dental guard for you or your child, contact our dental office to book an appointment with Dr. Beeram. Check out what clients say in Google reviews and look at some of our photos on Google.
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