Mouth guards have several purposes and can treat conditions from bruxism (teeth grinding) to sleep apnea. They can also protect your mouth from sports-related injuries. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) advocates the use of mouthguards during sporting activities.
The dental care in Leduc, AB, consists of board-certified dental professionals who provide mouthguards that fit snugly over your upper and lower teeth to protect the entire oral region from traumatic injury. This preserves the aesthetic appearance and the health of the smile.
An introduction to mouthguards
Mouthguards are a type of dental appliance that covers your teeth. Children and adults both can benefit from mouthguards for a number of reasons.
These are primarily designed to protect teeth and can significantly reduce the degree of force transmitted from a trauma impact point to the central nervous system.
Types of mouthguards
There are several types of mouthguards, of which the following three are the main forms:
- Stock mouthguards
- These have a universal fit and can be bought directly from the store and fit into your child’s mouth.
- These are cost-effective and easy to fit.
- Most often used for pediatric use.
- Boil and bite mouthguards
- These are often made up of thermoplastic and used for protection against sports-related trauma.
- The thermoplastic is first boiled to make it pliable and then placed in the child’s mouth to create a custom mold.
- These mouthguards provide more protection and allow for easy speech and breathing.
- However, they are slightly expensive.
- Customized mouthguards
- These are customized by the dentist and provide the greatest degree of protection.
- They may be more expensive but offer more comfort and are orthodontically correct.
Mouthguards indications
Dentists recommend mouthguards for several reasons. You might need one if you:
- Suffer from bruxism
- Play contact sports such as football, basketball, hockey, or boxing
- Participate in activities with high fall risk, such as gymnastics
- Snore
- Have obstructive sleep apnea
- Have TMJ disorder
Mouthguards also reduce the prevalence of:
- Cheek, lip, and tongue lesions
- Concussions
- Jawbone fractures
- Neck injuries
- Tooth fractures
Mouthguard care
Mouthguards can pick up bacteria from your mouth. Ensure you clean your teeth thoroughly before putting in a mouthguard.
- Do not expose your mouthguard to extreme heat
- Keep it in a sturdy and vented plastic case
- Rinse it in cool water and use a brush to clean it
- Air dry it after cleaning
Summary
Mouthguards offer great protection to your teeth from injury during sports activities. These equally distribute the extreme forces so as to prevent any damage and deterioration. Consult your dentist and discuss your expectations to determine the type of mouthguard that’s most beneficial to you.