Oral Benefits Of Mouthguards

Oral Benefits Of Mouthguards

Oct 13, 2021

It is especially important for sportsmen and those who engage in other recreational activities to know-how and take action on preventing mouth and facial injuries. This is one of the mouthguards.

Dental devices designed to cushion face blows, minimize the risk of broken teeth and other facial injuries are called Mouthguards. These devices are also called mouth protectors, and uniquely cover the upper parts of the teeth, and are a brilliant protective mechanism over the soft tissues of the tongue, lips, and cheeks.

This article will help you learn more about mouthguards, so read on!

Who Needs A Mouthguard?

Children and adults who do the below will benefit from mouthguards:

  • Those who grind their teeth, also known as bruxism
  • Those who engage in contact sports like basketball, football, hockey, or soccer come with an increased risk of traumatic hits to the face.
  • Those that take part in non-contact sports or activities with a high risk of falls, just like in ice skating, gymnastics, and biking.

The decision to use a mouthguard is most times the prerogative of your dentist who may recommend this on your routine dental visits. If you are wondering where you get the best mouthguards near you, or you need a pediatric dentist in Bloomfield that’s Board-Certified, then you should come to visit us in our dental office.

Unique Benefits Of Mouthguards.

Use of a mouthguard during athletic and other activities with the risk of damage to the face and teeth can be avoided. Some of these preventable conditions include:

  • A chipped cracked or lost tooth.
  • Suffering nerve damage to a tooth.
  • Sustaining soft-tissue damage to lips, gums, tongue, and inside the cheeks.

Such unique mouth guards near you can be gotten from our pediatric dentists in Bloomfield CT.

What Types Of Mouthguards Are Currently Available?

Mouthguards come in different types, sizes, and uses. Two main categories of mouthguards exist, that is, those made for the protection of the teeth from traumatic sport or other athletic activity-related injuries, and also mouthguards made for patients who have bruxism or teeth grinding.

Custom-fitted mouthguards:

Here, your dentist uses a created impression or molded template of your teeth to custom-make you a mouthguard that sits and fits comfortably in your teeth in your mouth. A custom mouthguard is specifically made to meet your needs, whether it be for trauma protection during athletic competitions or activities or made for use at night if you grind your teeth. Custom-fitted mouth protectors are more expensive but they provide the best fit and protection.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards:

Boil-and-bite mouth protectors are created out of thermoplastic materials that can be shaped by you at home to fit your teeth. This is made possible by softening the mouthguard after it has been placed in hot but not boiling water and then put into your mouth, using your fingers to press it upon your molars and your front teeth. When the mouthguard feels inserted into the right position, you would then bite down for some 20-30 seconds. Thereafter, you remove the device and run it under cool water. If the mouth guard doesn’t fit at the first instance, you can repeat these steps above to get the best fit.

Stock mouthguards:

Stock mouthguards are a type of mouthguard known as one-size-fits-all mouthguards. They usually come preformed and ready to wear. However, because they aren’t made custom for your teeth, they rarely fit well most of the time and their bulkiness and poor fit make breathing difficult sometimes. In reality, stock mouthguards offer the least protection of all mouthguard types and are not often recommended.

Caring For Your Mouthguard.

  • Brushing and flossing your teeth before you put your mouthguard in your mouth.
  • Cool water rinsing of your mouthguard (or preferably with a mouthwash) before putting it in and after taking it out.
  • Avoid the use of hot water.
  • Storing your mouthguard in a hard container and allowing it to dry in between uses.
  • Mouthguards don’t last forever. Hence, replace your mouthguard as soon as you start to notice any holes or signs of wear, or every two to three years.

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