Tongue guards are used by athletes and individuals to prevent teeth damage, tooth chipping, and damage to the tongue and mouth during contact sports such as football or ice hockey, or other activities that can cause injury, such as horseback riding or gymnastics.
For instance, if you fall while horseback riding, a tongue guard can help prevent the saddle from hitting your teeth and damaging them. A tongue guard protects your teeth and mouth without hindering your ability to breathe or speak, and it’s much more comfortable than alternative methods such as taping your mouth shut with athletic tape!
A tongue guard can reduce injuries
Studies show that in athletes who play contact sports, using a tongue guard can reduce oral-facial injuries. A thickened plastic piece that attaches to braces or retainers, a tongue guard protects your teeth by catching contact that might otherwise hit you in your mouth.
While dental injuries are painful, they’re also expensive: One injury could cost you more than $2,500. So talk to your dentist about getting one for yourself (and keeping them on hand for your kids). They don’t take away from game performance either: The American Dental Association says there’s no difference between playing with or without one.
By simply starting to wear one at all times – practice, games, school – you can prevent painful injuries before they happen. We highly recommend asking your doctor before doing so though; we suggest avoiding any type of physical activity if you have loose dentures or lose an existing tooth while wearing an acrylic plate. Still interested?
A tongue guard can improve breathing
In addition to improving dental health, most patients using tongue guards also experience an improvement in their breathing. During sleep, people with snoring issues often experience partial obstructions of their airways, which can prevent them from breathing easily. This can lead to reduced oxygen levels throughout your body during sleep, and leave you feeling sluggish during your waking hours. A tongue guard can reduce these blockages by pushing your lower jaw forward, making sure that each breath inhaled is as full as possible. If you are experiencing serious snoring issues, talk to a dentist about whether or not a custom-made tongue guard may be right for you! It could change your life, and make your mornings much more enjoyable. Click here to read our complete case study outlining a patient’s experience with her SnoreNoMore device!
A tongue guard protects your teeth
A tongue guard, more commonly referred to as a nightguard or dental guard, protects your teeth from excessive forces applied to them by clenching or grinding your teeth at night. Studies have shown that bruxism, which is when you clench or grind your teeth, can be linked to several oral health problems such as tooth wear. And in severe cases, if not addressed properly with a proper treatment plan.
These conditions can result in broken or chipped teeth, facial damage and even pain in other parts of your body due to muscle strain. A tongue guard relieves symptoms of sleep bruxism: If you’re experiencing headaches regularly and having trouble sleeping through the night, then you could have an underlying problem that has gone untreated for too long.
Many people mistakenly believe they are suffering from insomnia or stress but what they don’t realize is that their inability to get restful sleep might be due to another underlying issue—like one associated with bruxism. If you think you may suffer from nighttime clenching, talk to a dentist about getting fitted for a custom-fitted dental appliance that will reduce further damage and help provide relief sooner rather than later. Mouth guards protect your entire mouth.
Sports like hockey and football require their players to wear protective gear around their knees, elbows and shoulders because those areas are prone to injury—and so are our mouths! So why do we leave our pearly whites unprotected?
How does a tongue guard work?
A tongue guard—also known as an orthodontic night guard. Mouthguard, or bite splint—is worn while you sleep to protect your teeth from nighttime clenching. Clenching and grinding are widespread but harmless habits when they occur during waking hours. However, nocturnal teeth grinding can cause irreversible damage to your dental structures if left untreated.
Your tongue rests naturally in a forward position against. Your lower teeth at night, which can put pressure on your tooth enamel if you’re prone to grinding. The result is broken or chipped teeth. Which may require fillings or crowns (caps) to repair; such damage could be avoided with a custom. Made device that absorbs some of that force before it gets transferred to your teeth. Fortunately, there are two types of products designed for nighttime protection: fixed and removable appliances.
Both types prevent clenching by immobilizing your jaw joint through localized compression around your molars. This makes it impossible for you to clench without discomfort. And because muscle activity can also trigger a reflexive response. That creates more jaw tension, muscles throughout your head will relax once biting becomes impossible; muscular relaxation facilitates restful sleep and prevents injury to soft tissues. Like cheeks, lips, gums. Or tongues when they come into contact with hard surfaces like teeth or other objects throughout the night. You might even experience fewer headaches!
Types of mouthguards
A custom mouthguard, sometimes called a nightguard. May be prescribed by your dentist to. Prevent injury or damage to your teeth, mouth or jaw. Custom mouthguards are made. Thermoplastic material. That has been heated until malleable and then formed using impressions taken of your teeth. They come in different colors as well as different styles.
Some people wear custom mouthguards to prevent tooth grinding while others. Use them to protect their teeth during sports activities such as football or basketball where they might otherwise experience trauma from contact with another player’s elbow, knee or face mask.
Some use them while playing racket sports (tennis, squash), martial arts such as karate and kung fu, dancing or boxing. How do you know which one you need? That all depends on what your dental needs are. And that’s where our team comes in. We will work with you to assess these needs and make sure we provide for them properly.