What’s a dental guard for?
Many people choose to wear a mouthguard when playing sports, including rugby, football, hockey, and cricket… basically any sport where you risk getting hit in the face by a ball, racket, bat, or another player.
In those situations, the main benefit of a gumshield is protecting your jaw from impact damage, acting as a nifty shock absorber.
You may also wear a mouthguard at night if you subconsciously clench or grind your teeth while you sleep. This is known as bruxism. A dental guard may not cure the problem, but it can help to relieve associated jaw pain and wear on dental surfaces. It’ll also reduce the grinding sound, which can disturb the sleep of others.
Why purchase a custom dental guard?
It’s true that you can buy pre-formed mouthguards from sports shops – some of which you can mould at home using hot water, creating a slightly better fit.
However, these will always be less accurate, durable, and comfortable than a guard that’s tailor made for you.
Your dental guard can be made from transparent material, so it’s less noticeable, but many people choose to have a guard in their favourite or team colours.
Get your tailor-made dental guard
- Book an appointment with us so we can take impressions or scan your teeth. We’ll use this to model your new dental guard.
- Our lab friends will shape your mouthguard so that it fits snugly and comfortably, offering you the best possible protection.
- We’ll get in touch once your dental guard is ready to collect. You’ll also get a container to store your dental guard in when you’re not wearing it.
How much does a dental guard cost?
A custom mouthguard will fit exactly over your teeth and gums, providing a protective cushion from impact, and grinding damage. Costs are detailed below:
Bite guard / soft or sport
Private patients from: £132.50
With Denplan Essentials from: £119.25
With Denplan Care: just pay the lab costs
Single coloured sport guard
Private patients from: £132.50
With Denplan Essentials from: £119.25
With Denplan Care: £119.25
Multi-coloured sport guard
Private patients from: £149.50
With Denplan Essentials from: £134.55
With Denplan Care: £134.55
Caring for your dental guard
A tailor-made mouthguard could last for years, especially if you:
- Clean it after each use with a soft toothbrush.
- Keep it in a protective case when you’re not wearing it.
- Keep it away from heat sources – these can cause it to melt and deform.
If you’re using your guard regularly, you might like to replace it once in a while. Not only is this good from a hygiene perspective, but your teeth might naturally move over time, resulting in a poorly fitting guard.
But you don’t need a particular reason if you want to buy a new dental guard… perhaps you just fancy having guards in a few colours to suit your mood.
Book for a more complete smile
Now you’ve had a chance to read about the treatments we can offer at White Gables Dental Practice, why not get in touch?