Your smile is one of the first features someone may notice about you. It can improve someone’s confidence and self-esteem. That is why it’s so important to protect your teeth, especially if you play sports. However, just because you don’t play sports doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take preventative measures to protect your teeth. Dental guards, also referred to as mouthguards, are a great tool to help protect your teeth.
A dental guard is a dental device designed to protect your mouth. A mold is taken to provide a perfect fit for the upper and lower teeth. Once the guard is ready, it is worn over your teeth, offering maximum protection. Dental guards will help protect your teeth and gums from injury due to teeth grinding and accidents that may occur during sports. Repairing or replacing your natural teeth can be painful and costly. By wearing a dental guard, you can avoid chipped or lost teeth, nerve damage, and soft tissue damage to the lips, gums, tongue, and inside cheeks.
Who might need a mouthguard?
Children and adults may need a dental guard at some point in their life. Your dental provider may suggest wearing a dental guard if you grind your teeth during the night, or if you take part in contact sports such as football, field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, ice hockey, and more. It may also be suggested to be worn during noncontact sports such as gymnastics and biking.
Types of Dental Guards
There are different types of mouthguards made available including:
Stock- These dental guards aren’t made specifically for your teeth. They come ready to wear and can be bought at most sporting goods and department stores. A disadvantage of these is little can be done to adjust the fit and they are bulky, making it hard to breathe and talk.
Over-the-counter- These dental guards are found at drug stores and are designed to be worn while sleeping.
Boil-and-bite- These dental guards allow you to shape at home to fir your teeth. They are made out of a thermoplastic material that softens when you heat them in hot water. You press the guard into your mouth until it’s in a good position and bite down for about 20 seconds. Then you remove the guard and run it under cold water to keep its shape.
Custom-fitted- This guard is created by a dentist. An impression of your teeth will be used to create a custom guard. Although this is more costly, these dental guards offer the best protection as they are specifically designed for you. They are more secure and reliable compared to the other types.
Contact Us
To make sure you have an effective mouth guard, it should be comfortable, durable, easy to clean, resistant to tears, and should not restrict your breathing or speech. At Saratoga Family Dentistry, we offer our patients in the Saratoga Springs, NY area with custom-fitted dental guards. Whether you are a kid in sports or an adult that grinds their teeth unknowingly throughout the night, we can help. To protect your teeth, contact us today!
