Mouthguards

Sports Guards & Night Guards North York, ON

A mouthguard is an umbrella term that includes nightguards and athletic mouth guards.

Sport guards are custom-fit appliances that are worn during athletic activity to reduce the risk of concussion and protect the teeth from trauma (displacement, avulsion, fracture, and nerve damage).

A nightguard is an appliance worn at night that helps prevent damage to the teeth in someone with a nocturnal (nighttime) clenching or grinding habit. Some designs can lessen the forces exerted by the jaws during grinding and clenching and may help alleviate symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).

hand holding custom mouth guard, sports guards North York, ON night guards

Types of Mouthguards

A premade mouthguard is a “stock” mouthguard that is supposed to fit every mouth. It is purchased as a finished product and cannot be custom fitted to one’s mouth. A “boil and bite” mouthguard is one that is heated at home in hot water and molded to fit one's mouth.

A custom-made mouthguard from our North York dental office provides a vastly more comfortable and exacting fit compared to the stock mouthguard or “boil and bite” mouthguard. An impression of the mouth is taken, and a model of the mouth is then fabricated. On this model, the mouthguard is then made. Because it is made in a laboratory, the process allows for a more precise custom fit with as little bulk as possible. A stock mouthguard simply cannot fit every mouth, and the boil and bite mouthguard cannot be precisely molded while it is cooling off, so the fit ends up not being precise. There is a lot of excess bulk with both latter options.

Mouthguard Care

All mouthguards can carry oral bacteria in the form of plaque. If not cleaned regularly, these appliances can also develop calculus, also known as tartar. The appliances can then smell bad and become very unsightly, not to mention that the bacteria in such appliances are being re-introduced into the mouth.

All mouthguards should be cleaned after use with an antibacterial, non-abrasive cleaner designed for intraoral appliances. Dr. Shiewitz recommends Fresh Cleanse by Polident. It should be used with a designated toothbrush, then rinsed thoroughly and stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions.


If you have issues with nighttime teeth grinding or need to protect your mouth during athletic activity, Dr. Sara Shiewitz can help! We offer custom-made mouthguards for a better fit and greater comfort. Call our North York, ON office today at (416) 223-4181 to make an appointment!

 

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Our Regular Schedule

WINTER HOURS (October to April)

Monday:

ONE MONDAY PER MONTH, 10 AM TO 6 PM

Tuesday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

NOON TILL 8 PM

Thursday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

ALTERNATE FRIDAYS 10 AM TO 2 PM

Saturday:

ALTERNATE SATURDAYS 10 AM TO 6 PM

Sunday:

Closed

SUMMER HOURS (April to October)

Monday:

ONE MONDAY PER MONTH, 10 AM TO 6 PM

Tuesday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

NOON TILL 8 PM

Thursday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

ALTERNATE FRIDAYS 10 AM TO 2 PM

Saturday:

ALTERNATE SATURDAYS 10 AM TO 6 PM

Sunday:

Closed