Both sports and night guards are there to protect the teeth but in very different situations.
Sports guards are designed to be worn when playing contact sports or sports where there is any risk of injury to the teeth. These include, but are not limited to rugby, hockey, and boxing.
Night guards are designed to be worn by people who suffer from bruxism, which is the involuntary teeth grinding during sleep. Bruxism causes wear of the teeth, fractures and very often, headaches in the morning when we wake up.
The type of night guard that Dr George Papagrigorakis suggests for the majority of bruxism cases is the Michigan Appliance. It is specially designed so that:
- It protects the teeth and the restorations (crowns, bridges, implants…), and it also stops the process of grinding and clenching the teeth. This is very important
- It stops us from grinding or clenching our teeth. This function is very important because it helps our muscles relax, reduces the tension and as a result of this, our morning tension headaches disappear.
If you suspect you are grinding or clenching your teeth in the night, book an appointment for an assessment with Dr. George Papagrigorakis.
