At Flintridge Dental Studio, we suggest parents of active children strongly promote the use of a mouth guard as a means of protecting their child’s teeth from injury. Adults who are active in sports should also invest in a mouth guard for the very same reason. Mouth guards protect the teeth. They also help patients who grind and clench their teeth while sleeping (Bruxism).

There are many types of mouth guards available in today’s market such as stock mouth guards, boil and bite guards and customized mouth guards.

• Stock Mouth Guards: This type of mouth guard provides the least protection. Stock mouth guards are an inexpensive one-size-fits-all device that doesn’t adjust easily to the individual’s mouth. They can obstruct breathing and speech, and are very uncomfortable when worn.
• Boil and Bite Mouth Guards: These mouth guards are made from thermoplastic and are immersed in hot water to make them flexible, and then pressed on the teeth to create a custom mold. Boil and bite mouth guards are more expensive than stock mouth guards. They tend to offer slightly more protection and are more comfortable to wear.
• Customized Mouth Guards: At Flintridge Dental Studio, we encourage the use of customized mouth guards because they offer the greatest form of protection for our more active patients. The doctor will take an impression of the teeth using a special material and then construct the guard over the mold. Our customized mouth guards provide the best protection against injury and damage.

If you’ve ever experienced waking up with jaw pain, an earache, or a headache, or maybe you always clench or grind your teeth, you may be suffering from Bruxism. If left untreated, Bruxism can lead to cracked or broken teeth. A Night Guard is an easy way to treat this condition. For children, night guards are used during the growing phases of their teeth and jaw. In adults, night guards are used to helping control the grinding and clenching of their teeth while sleeping. The doctor at Flintridge Dental Studio will make a night guard from an impression of your teeth that will fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep.

Do you have an active lifestyle or a child involved in sports? Make an appointment at Flintridge Dental Studio by dialing (818) 814-9732 for an appointment to discuss which mouth guard is right for your or your child.