Protect Your Smile!
Your teeth do an outstanding job every day, helping you to eat, talk, breathe, and chew. So, the more you protect your teeth, the longer they will last. The ultimate protective device for teeth is the mouthguard. All ages benefit from wearing mouthguards during physical activities. They are also a critical tool to prevent damage caused by teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
Over-the-counter mouthguards are available online, at sporting goods stores, and pharmacies. Dental offices also create customized mouthguards for their patients. This makes choosing a mouthguard confusing for some. Does it matter where you buy your mouthguard?
Generic or Custom Mouthguards?
A mouthguard only works well when it fits your teeth and stays in place. This is the primary knock on do-it-yourself mouthguards. Generic mouth guards are available in two forms: in various sizes or “boil & bite”. They tend to feel bulky and uncomfortable. They move around during activity. Therefore, they don’t protect the teeth very well during sports or tooth grinding episodes. At best, they are a temporary substitute for a customized mouthguard.
Custom mouthguards are made from physical impressions or digital scans of your mouth taken at the dental office. Because they match your specific teeth exactly, they are comfortable and secure. A custom guard also allows the dentist to consider the purpose of the guard, choosing the right thickness for each patient’s needs. Although more expensive than store-bought options, the improved comfort, exact fit, and superior materials lead to much stronger protection over time.
Mouthguard Fit Is Important
A mouthguard that feels uncomfortable usually ends up in a drawer. Children, teens, and adults participating in sports need a mouthguard that is going to stay in their mouth throughout the range of movements they experience. If the mouthguard fits poorly, it gets left in a locker or a gym bag. If the use of a mouthguard is voluntary, a bad mouthguard often ends up meaning no mouthguard.
Those who grind or clench their teeth at night have similar issues. An improperly fitting mouth guard tends to irritate the gums, apply additional pressure in incorrect places, and negatively affect sleep quality. When it dislodges from the teeth, it can even cause gagging. A custom-made mouth guard fits naturally and is simple to wear. Its benefits are immediately felt and realized.
Protect Your Teeth with Mouthguards
Treating chipped teeth, jaw soreness, dental injuries, and enamel wear tends to be expensive compared to preventing such problems with a mouthguard. A customized mouthguard protects the teeth, jaw, dental work, and soft tissues from unnecessary damage. It gives parents peace of mind when children participate in sports. It significantly reduces the daily effects of grinding and clenching on the teeth.
Lakeside Dental in Folsom offers customized mouthguards for children, teens, and adults. As a full-service dental office, including emergency dental care for the entire family, Lakeside Dental helps patients protect their smiles for the long-term. Contact us to ask about customized mouthguards or to schedule an appointment today.
