Mouthguards & Nightguards

Elizabeth City Pediatric Dentist

ATHLETIC MOUTH GUARDS

When you are preparing for sports practice or a game, you wouldn’t dream of going without your uniform. If you are playing a contact sport like football or hockey, you always have helmet and pads before going near the field or rink. However, if you aren’t using a sports mouth guard for your practices and matches, you are missing a vital piece of protective gear.

Each year, an estimated 13-39% of all dental injuries occur while playing sports. Since mouth guards were made a mandatory part of American football, about 200,000 injuries to the mouth and teeth have been prevented annually.

However, the dangers of tooth and mouth injury do not end with contact sports. In fact, recent studies have found that today’s basketball players are far more likely to suffer injury to the face, mouth, and teeth than football players. For sports with less player to player contact, injuries can come from contact with the ball, ground, hoop, or other surface. Unfortunately, mouth guards are not currently required by most schools and teams.

Protect your child’s teeth with a sports mouth guard. Drs. Winter will custom-fit a mouth guard to keep your child safe while they play.

NIGHT GUARDS

Unconscious grinding of the teeth during sleep is a condition known as bruxism. If your child is grinding their teeth in their sleep most nights, you should contact our office for a night guard.

A night guard is a removable dental appliance that is similar to an athletic mouth guard. It provides a barrier between the top and bottom teeth to protect them while sleeping.

At our pediatric dental office in Elizabeth City, Drs. Winter will custom fit your child’s night guard to ensure their comfort and safety. Night guards can protect teeth from wear, gum irritation, enamel damage, and jaw pain.

During your child’s appointment, our team will discuss other ways to help reduce or eliminate night grinding. This may include avoiding chewing gum and consuming and caffeine, as these increase the risks of grinding.

If your child regularly grinds their teeth, contact our office for an appointment.