Mouthguards / Splints

Mouthguards

There are varying types of mouthguards available in Australia, which range from the cheap over-the-counter types to the professional custom-fit mouthguards. The ADA (Australian Dental Association) strongly recommends wearing a custom-fit mouthguard, as the over-the-counter varieties fail to provide sufficient protection against potential dental injuries. Mouthguards that are custom-fit by your dentist will also fit better than the over-the-counter mouthguards. A bespoke mouthguard will allow you to speak clearly, will not restrict your breathing and will not shift or fall out.

Protection against sports-related injuries

A custom-fit mouthguard that is fitted by a dentist at Ocean Reef Dental Surgery, provides superior protection against physically (and financially) damaging dental injuries, which may be the product of varying sporting or leisurely activities. Basically, a mouthguard is the best protection against physical impact or blows to the face and jaw, that would otherwise cause damaging (and costly) oral injuries.

Splints - Protection against teeth grinding

Night-guards or occlusal splints (a form of mouthguard) are also used as a protective measure against teeth grinding or patients who suffer from clenching (known as bruxism), which may also lead to TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorder. A night-guard is a removable acrylic oral device that is carefully moulded to fit the lower and/or upper arches of your teeth, that ultimately aims to decrease the amount of grinding pressure transferred to the teeth and arches. Your custom-fit mouthguards will not restrict your breathing when sleeping and will attempt to protect your teeth from your oral grinding habits. The splint will also guide your jaw into a neutral position, which relieves some of the pressure on the jaw.