Night Guards & Athletic Mouthguards in Montclair, NJ
Protecting Young Smiles Day and Night
When it comes to keeping your child's smile healthy, prevention is always the best approach. At Playful Pediatric Dentistry, we offer custom oral appliances, such as night guards and athletic mouthguards, to protect growing teeth from nighttime grinding or sports-related dental injuries. We strive to keep your little one's smile healthy, strong, and bright. Contact our practice in Montclair to schedule your child's appointment today!
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What Are Night Guards?
Nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism, can lead to complications, including tooth wear, fracture, or sensitivity, morning headaches, jaw pain, interrupted sleep, and trouble focusing in school.
A night guard, also known as a bite guard, is a custom-made oral appliance that fits over your child's teeth. We typically recommend night guards for children aged 12 and older who have all or most of their permanent teeth. These custom oral appliances act as protective shields, providing cushioning and absorbing pressure from grinding and clenching.
A protective guard can help promote a healthier bite, support natural tooth wear patterns, and protect any recent dental work. Parents often report noticeable changes, with better sleep and fewer morning complaints, providing long-term benefits for a child's oral health and general well-being.
What Are Athletic Mouthguards?
If your child is involved in contact or high-impact sports, a custom athletic mouthguard is one of the best ways to prevent dental injuries. These may include knocked-out, dislodged, or broken teeth, as well as damage to the gums, tongue, lips, or jaws. Sports-related dental injuries can be incredibly painful and lead to long-term oral health complications.
Whether your child plays soccer, basketball, hockey, martial arts, or gymnastics, a mouthguard can help cushion impacts from accidental blows to the face. This helps protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, jaw joints, and orthodontic appliances. The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety reports that athletes are 60 times more likely to sustain dental injuries when not wearing protective athletic mouthguards.
Why Choose Custom-Fit Night Guards or Athletic Mouthguards?
There are many over-the-counter mouthguard options available for purchase. These include stock mouthguards that come in standard sizes. However, they are often bulky, rarely provide an ideal fit, and offer minimal protection for your child's smile. There are also boil-and-bite mouthguards, which you soften in hot water and mold to the contours of your child's teeth. Although these mouthguards provide a better fit, they are typically bulky and offer poor protection.
At Playful Pediatric Dentistry, we offer custom night guards and athletic mouthguards made from impressions of your child's teeth. Unlike the store-bought varieties, the custom mouthguards we offer provide a snug, secure fit, ensuring they stay in place, feel more comfortable, allow for easier breathing, and offer far better protection for your child's smile.
Let’s Keep Those Little Smiles Shining!
We make every visit fun, friendly, and stress-free. Book your child’s appointment today and watch their confidence grow.