Dental appliances
Dental appliances
Nighttime Grinding Splints
Teeth grinding can lead to problems with the strength and integrity of your teeth. The risk of cracking, chipping and premature wear is likely.
The long term impact of nighttime grinding can result in the enamel surface of teeth wearing down, exposing the delicate internal part of the tooth, which wears quickly. If left to wear down, bacteria can penetrate through to the nerve and lead to infection.
Teeth grinding can also affect the surrounding areas, such as the jaw joint. This can lead to pain, clicking and popping.
A splint or night guard is a custom-moulded acrylic appliance that fits over the upper or lower teeth.
It is designed to protect natural teeth, crowns and implants from wear and cracking from clenching and grinding habits. A grinding splint can also be used to relieve muscle tension and painful joint symptoms.
Grinding splints are custom-made from a model of your teeth.
They are then designed to establish a perfectly even bite, prevent individual tooth wear and reduce destructive forces on the jaw joints, ligaments and cartilage.
Dentures
Dentures are used to restore the function of your jaw and improve your appearance.
Improvements in jaw and bite function during eating are a common benefits. Dentures can also improve the visual appearance of the face and mouth. This is accomplished by supporting gums soft tissues and dental bone structure.
Depending on your requirements, your dentist will either create partial dentures for an individual missing tooth or complete dentures to replace a full set of missing teeth.
Your dentist will take a detailed model of your jaw and mouth.
The moulds are used used to create a model, which is used to recreate the shape of your jaw and gums. This allows the dentures to be shaped.
Once set, the dentures go through a detailed process of trimming, shaping and polishing to ensure optimal comfort when worn.
Dentures are removable and easy to clean. While dentures can be soaked in special solutions, they can also be brushed after being removed.
Like teeth, dentures can discolour. Proper dental hygiene ensures you keep your smile looking good and your dentures will last.
Snoring mouthguards
Snoring can occur when the airway in the throat is restricted. The soft tissue of the tongue and mouth can shift when relaxed leading to snoring.
A snoring mouthguard is worn in the mouth. The mouthguard works by altering the position of the lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw. By bringing the lower jaw forward, the mouthguard is able to improve the position of soft tissues in the airway. This improves the passage way for air, and reduces the likelihood of snoring.
Proper diagnosis is important when considering a snoring mouthguard.
Your dentist may suggest a custom-fitted mouthguard that will work to prevent snoring. Your dentist will assess your mouth structure and size. They will explain the options and assist with ensuring appropriate fit, function and optimal comfort.
Other obstructive sleep apnoea devices may be used in conjunction with a mouthguard and should be discussed with your GP.
Because we all have unique jaw and mouth shapes, we only recommend custom fitted snoring mouthguards.
We start the process with an impression of you teeth. This ensures a custom fitted mouthguard to be made. We take into consideration the unique structure of your mouth and ensure your new mouthguard will work optimally. This ensures optimal comfortable.
Ensuring you look after your teeth is the first step.
Like your teeth, your snoring mouthguard can be prone to a build up of plaque.
Your mouthguard should be washed daily and allowed to dry.
Store your snoring mouthguard in a safe, dry place when not being used.
Custom mouthguards
We love maintaining a healthy smile, but what if your sports and recreational activities put your teeth at risk? We can help you with a sports mouthguard that fits properly, is comfortable and offers maximum protection for your smile.
A sports mouthguard works by protecting your teeth, gums and other soft tissues from injury in the event of impact.
Your teeth are protect from chipping, cracking and being knocked out.
The impact absorbing material also protects your teeth and gums in the event of upper and lower jaws clashing.
There are 3 main varieties of sports mouthguards available:
- Stock mouthguards – these are generally inexpensive and have the lowest levels of protection and comfort
- Boil and bite – these are made of material that can be warmed and moulded. They offer an increase of protection and comfort of stock items
- Custom made mouthguards – these are the best option for anyone looking for highest levels of comfort and protection without unnecessary bulk
Blue Gum Dental use and recommend custom made mouthguards. We can help you get the perfect fit sports mouthguard.
Yes. We always recommend individuals with braces use a sports mouthguard. Protecting the delicate tissues in your mouth is even more important when you have braces.
There are special mouthguards available for use with braces.
It’s important to keep your mouthguard fresh and clean. Always rinse and clean your sports mouthguard after use.
Antiseptic mouthwash can be used to keep bacteria at bay.
Storing your sports mouthguard in a dry, cool place will ensure it lasts. Be sure to avoid leaving it a hot car when not in use.
As a mouthguard wears, the protection it offers can reduce. Like most things, the ideal time to replace a mouthguard depends on a number of factors.
If worn frequently, in cases like seasonal sports, it’s a good idea to replace your sports mouthguard every season.
If you use your mouthguard infrequently, you will replace it less often.
If you are unsure, you can always bring your sports mouthguard to your regular dental check-up and have one of our team check it out.