Mouthguards for A Healthy Oral Cavity
Teeth are one of the essential parts of the body. Apart from chewing the food and breaking it into digestible pieces, the teeth have immense aesthetic values. A bright smile can help to boost your confidence and lets you speak. A missing tooth can dent your confidence, degrade your looks, and make words slur inside the mouth.
A Healthy Smile is All You Would Look For
Wherever you are, a healthy oral cavity and bright smile are what you would desire. Brushing and flossing every day should be incorporated into your daily routine. Attending the dentist at regular intervals is a must too. Oral health care has taken a giant leap in the last decade or two.
The incorporation of mouthguards has been a revelation for the protection of teeth. Be it clenching or grinding of the teeth or protection from sports mouthguards can be custom-made to suit your dental structure and needs.
Depending on the need and usage, the dentist might suggest a sports guard and nightguard and prevent cracking of teeth from teeth grinding. Depending on the need, the constitution of the mouthguards can change. The mouthguards used for sports are designed to protect the tongue and gums and the teeth and are broader in size compared to those used to protect teeth from teeth clenching.
Do You Need Mouthguard?
If you are associated with soccer, baseball, hockey, or any contact sport, mouthguards can protect the teeth, mouth, and cheeks. A broken or chipped tooth, fractured tooth, dental trauma, or a cut lip can be painful. The soft materials of mouthguards can absorb the stress and protect your oral cavity’s internal and delicate parts.
Bruxism can be a habit that is detrimental to your teeth. Clenching and grinding of the teeth while asleep or awake can make the teeth’ roots go weak. Immense and continuous pressure on the teeth might cause the teeth to chirp. A broken tooth can be painful. The dentist might suggest wearing a mouthguard during sleep to protect the teeth.
The teenagers might shy away from using dental braces to set right the dental imperfections. In some instances, the mouthguards can serve as a substitute for the metal braces. Elegant in looks, mouthguards do not have the hustle of cleaning, and you do not have to feel the metal brace inside the mouth.
Types of Mouthguard
Mouthguards are worn above the teeth and can help protect the teeth and enhance the aesthetic value of your teeth. Depending on use, mouthguards are classified as:
Stock Mouthguard
These ready-to-wear mouthguards are inexpensive and are readily available in almost all departmental or sports goods stores. They are bulky, and you can do little to get them aptly fitted over your teeth. Breathing and talking might be a bit difficult with the stock mouthguards.
Boil-and-bite Mouthguards
These mouthguards are readily available in sports goods stores and are better fitted than the stock mouthguards. Made from thermoplastics, the boil-and-bite mouthguards come in a single size and can be adjusted. These inexpensive mouthguards are placed in hot water to soften. The dentist then places the mouthguards and the mouth to get it shaped as per your denture.
Custom-made Mouthguards
Based on the dentist’s instructions, the custom-made mouthguards are made in the dental office or dental laboratory. The dentist makes a mold of your denture, and the mouthguard is made specifically to fit over your teeth. Due to its better fit and custom-made feature, these mouthguards are the most expensive and comfortable to wear.
Caring for Your Mouthguard
The mouthguards are placed inside the mouth and come in contact with the teeth and saliva. The mouthguards need cleaning like your teeth. Brushing and flossing as well as rinsing in mouthwash can increase the longevity of mouthguards. You can also take mouthguards to the dentist during regular visits. Mouthguards cannot withstand high temperatures, and care should be taken to store them in a cool place.
You can also visit Whitaker Family Dentistry to get comprehensive dental care. With family-friendly and bilingual staff, you can get custom-made mouthguards. We offer dental implants, teeth whitening, and cleaning of teeth. Our experienced dentists are dedicated to attending your dental issues with promptness. You can book an online appointment and avail of our services.