Types of Mouth Guards for Your Teeth

You may have noticed athletes, especially boxers, wearing a mouthguard during a fight. A mouthguard is a dental device to protect your teeth and other areas of the mouth, such as the tongue, jaw, cheeks, gums, and tongue, from injuries during sports. They can also protect teeth from teeth grinding when sleeping. Mouthguards also help prevent snoring and sleep apnea disorders.

Types of mouthguards

When looking for a mouthguard for sports, bruxism, or snoring, you should know that all mouthguards are not the same. While often designed to serve the same purpose, different mouthguards come in different types, materials, and costs. Below are three main types of mouthguards:

• Stock mouthguards

Stock mouthguards are the most popular and widely used mouthguard, probably due to their low price. It comes pre-made, and you can purchase them in the nearby drugstore, sports store, or online store. It’s available for your top teeth in small, medium, and large sizes.

While stock mouthguards are relatively affordable and easily accessible, they aren’t the best options, especially if you’re an active athlete or have bruxism. Since they only come in three sizes, finding a perfect fit usually takes a lot of work.

They may end up being too tight, hurting your mouth, or too loose to provide maximum protection. Stock guards also tend to be bulky, affecting your breathing and speech. They are also often made from low-quality materials and thus only last for a while.

• Boil-and-bite mouth guards

Like stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards come pre-made. They come in one size that you can customize to fit your teeth. As the name implies, you should boil to guard to soften it, place it over your upper teeth, and bite down for a custom fit.

Boil-and-bite mouth guards are relatively inexpensive but cost more than stock guards. They also tend to be bulky and low quality. Be careful when using this mouthguard with braces. The guard could stick in the braces during the molding process.

• Custom mouthguards

A custom mouthguard is made by your dentist using molds or impressions of your teeth and mouth. It provides a perfect fit as compared to stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards. It’s, therefore, less likely to hurt, affect your speech or breathing, or slip during a game or when you sleep.

Custom mouthguards contain high-quality materials, and thus they are much more comfortable and durable. Custom guards are crucial if you are active in sports, snore, or grind your teeth. However, they are more expensive than stock and boil-and-bite guards. Visit our office for custom mouthguards in Claremont, NH.

Who needs a mouthguard?

Below are common reasons why people use mouthguards:

• Sports : The ADA recommends a sports guard during high-contact sports with a likelihood of high impact, collision, or high-speed movements. These can include ice hockey, basketball, soccer, and football. The guard helps protect against teeth and other mouth injuries in a collision or accident.

• Teeth Grinding : Bruxism is a sleep-related disorder in which a person grinds their teeth during sleep. It can also happen unconsciously when awake. Wearing a guard protects teeth from grinding against each other and help prevents other problems like tooth pain, jaw problems, and better sleep.

• Sleep apnea and snoring : Sleep apnea is a sleep-related disorder where a person stops breathing briefly during sleep. A custom mouthguard can help keep the airway open during sleep, preventing snoring and sleep apnea.

How to care for your mouthguard

Like other dental devices, your mouthguard must be cared for and cleaned to last longer. Use these tips:

• Brush and floss before wearing the mouthguard.

• Rinse the mouthguard with cool water before wearing it. Avoid hot water, as it can warp the guard.

• Clean your mouthguard after every use. Use a soft brush and mild toothpaste.

• Always store the mouth guard in a dry and well-ventilated case. Let the guard dry out before storing.

• Check the mouthguard for damages and signs of wear and tear. Get it replaced if necessary. Always carry your mouthguard to your routine dental checkups.

Final verdict

Whether you grind your teeth, snore, or engage in high-contact sports, a mouthguard is essential for protecting your mouth from pain and injuries. For custom mouthguards near you, contact Claremont Dental Group.