Mouthguards are powerful dental tools that can immensely improve the quality of life of those who wear them. There are a few different types of mouthguards out there. Here’s an overview of stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-fitted mouthguards to help you decide which is the right choice for your dental needs.
Contact Sports & Nighttime Teeth Grinding
Mouthguards offer important teeth protection if you play contact sports and/or grind your teeth at night. Not wearing an athletic mouthguard or a nightguard puts your teeth at risk for tooth breakage and loss during sports and enamel erosion during bruxism. Mouthguards protect your teeth for those who have braces, too!
Types of Mouthguards
Stock Mouthguards
Stock mouth protectors are preformed, ready to wear, and are relatively inexpensive. Since they aren’t tailor-made to your specific bite, you will find that they make it a little difficult to talk and breathe, do not fit or stay in place well, and will not offer the amount of protection that your mouth really needs.
Boil & Bite Mouthguards
Boil and bite mouthguards are available at sporting goods stores and soften in hot water so that they mold to your teeth as you bite down on them. These are between stock mouthguards and custom-fitted ones in price and effectiveness, but you can do yourself a disservice by unknowingly buying the wrong size and leaving your teeth improperly covered.
Custom-Fitted Mouthguards
These mouthguards are individually designed in your dentist’s office, like here at Summit Family Dentistry. They run a little more expensive than other types of mouthguards because they offer maximum comfort and optimal protection. However, keep in mind that the more unobtrusive and convenient a mouthguard, the more likely you will wear it.
How to Care for Your Mouthguard
Always rinse your mouthguard before and after use, and make sure to clean it lightly with your toothbrush to get rid of any bacteria buildup. You should also keep your mouthguard in a perforated container, and keep it away from extreme temperatures. Bring your mouthguard to your biannual dental examination so we can examine it in order to determine whether or not you’ll need a new one.
Protect Your Teeth!
If you play contact sports and/or grind your teeth, you are at risk of damaging your teeth. You should definitely consider getting a mouthguard to protect your dental health. Our friendly team at Summit Family Dentistry is here to answer any questions that you may have about mouthguards. Contact us to schedule an appointment!
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Mouthguards are powerful dental tools that can immensely improve the quality of life of those who wear them. There are a few different types of mouthguards out there. Here’s an overview of stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-fitted mouthguards to help you decide which is the right choice for your dental needs.
