It’s equally crucial to protect your teeth from harm as it is to brush and floss every day. Patients who grind their teeth report experiencing severe dental injuries, which can also result from accidents and contact sports. Consider getting a night guard near you if any of these scenarios apply.
Here is all you need to know if your dentist has advised you to use a mouth guard.
What are mouthguards?
A mouthguard is an oral appliance to prevent damage to your teeth, lips, and cheeks while participating in sports. Similarly, night guards protect teeth against damage caused by bruxism or teeth grinding during the night. The device ought to:
- Quickly and firmly fit inside the wearer’s mouth.
- Include every tooth on one or both arches.
- It is easy to clean.
- Maintain high-impact energy absorption and force transmittance if the wearer participates in sports.
- Have a durable structure and design using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved materials.
What are mouthguards used for?
Mouthguards are recommended to help patients prevent injury to their teeth, gums, the soft tissue of their inner cheeks, and even their lips. It can help safeguard the nerves of their teeth from damage as well.
In addition to being painful and unsightly, tooth damage can also be expensive. It can be costly and inconvenient to replace or restore teeth using procedures like extractions, implants, or restorations; it is frequently preferable to avoid injury altogether.
If you have braces, mouthguards can be particularly crucial. Your dentist near you can fit you with a custom mouthguard that covers both your top and bottom teeth to prevent damage to the soft tissues of your mouth and any orthodontic hardware or devices from breaking.
Types of mouthguards
Mouthguards come in three primary categories:
Sports mouth protection: These safeguard your teeth from harm caused by sports. Mouthguards can significantly lower your risk of cracked and knocked-out teeth if you participate in sports.
Tooth-grinding mouthguards: These devices aid in shielding your teeth from the harm caused by clenching and grinding (bruxism). They might also mitigate the consequences of TMJ conditions. But it’s known to wear them at night because most individuals clench or grind their teeth when they sleep.
Mouthguards for snoring and sleep apnea: A personalized mouthguard may help people who snore loudly or have obstructive sleep apnea. This gadget repositions and moves your jaw to widen your airway as you sleep.
How do you choose a mouthguard?
Choosing the right dental guard for your situation is as important as using it diligently. With that said, several factors can influence where you acquire your device, such as your needs, what your dentist advises, and your budget.
One option is purchasing a stock mouthguard, which is inexpensive and widely available at most sports or drug stores. Since the sizes of these guards are often only available in small, medium, and large, finding a suitable fit might take time and effort.
You can also acquire a boil-and-bite mouthguard online at pharmacies and sporting goods stores. Unlike the stock guards, which operate on the one-size-fits-all rule, you can get a more tailored fit by boiling it in hot water and biting into it while it’s still warm. These are also quite affordable.
Custom mouthguards manufactured by a dental practitioner are the most pleasant and efficient type of tooth protection. But they are also the most expensive. Depending on the case, your dentist or dental insurance might offer some assistance to offset the expense.
Have More Questions?
We offer custom-made mouthguards at Mint Dental to help our patients safeguard their teeth. These cutting-edge mouthguards are created specifically for your bite to provide comfort and protection. Our mouthguards are crafted from the best materials available for durability and safety.
Call us to make an appointment online right away if you’re an athlete looking for the best teeth and mouth protection available.