Importance Of Mouthguards In Maintaining Oral Health

If you are someone who is involved in sports or athletics, you probably might be wearing a mouthguard. But there are many who do not have a fair idea about the functionality and benefit a mouthguard offers for maintaining your oral health. Yes, you have heard it right, Custom mouthguards do have an important role in restoring your smile. The major purpose of a mouthguard is to prevent the teeth from being chipped or dislocated. By acting as a barrier between the braces/teeth and your cheeks, mouthguards eliminate the risk of soft tissue damage.

Mouthguard is a removable soft plastic that is designed to cover the top teeth. It functions to protect the teeth from injury during athletic activities. They are quite helpful during contact sports and allow to speak and breathe clearly during sports games.

Type of Mouthguards:
Mouthguards are available in 3 different types:

Mouth-formed Mouthguards: They can either be of boil-and-bite kind or shell liner. Shell liner is lined with acrylic gel that molds around the teeth and keeps it in shape. On the other hand, boil-and-bite is made of thermoplastic. Before using, it is placed in boiling water and molded to the contours of teeth using tongue or biting pressure. Both the types can be reheated and refitted if they are not placed comfortably. They also offer a better fit and provide protection as a custom-fitted mouthguard.

Custom-fitted Mouthguards: Custom-fitted Mouthguards are a bit expensive than any other type but offer the highest degree of comfort, fit and protection. A dental impression done via custom mouthguards is relatively similar to getting an impression for dentures. They are made to cover all the teeth and are important for the prevention of oral and facial injuries.

Stock Mouthguards: They offer the least amount of protection and are made for use without any adjustment. This makes them uncomfortable to wear. Another drawback is that they are not custom fit for an individual’s mouth. The composition is quite bulky. Therefore, athletes may alter them, which, in turn, reduces the level of protection offered by them.

Importance of Mouthguards When Wearing Braces
The most common sports injuries affect areas like teeth, mouth and jaw. However, when you wear braces, the chances of getting injured gets minimized because braces prevent the loss or displacement of teeth. The risk of injury goes negligible if you wear mouthguards along with braces because they help to protect lips, cheeks and also tongue from mouth tearing.

The use of mouthguard also prevents damage to brackets. They are useful particularly when playing contact sports like volleyball, soccer, football, hockey, wrestling and so on. Mouthguard is also quite useful when indulging in recreation activities like mountain biking, horse riding, trampolining, martial arts and wrestling. Mouthguards are one of the most protective pieces of equipment for both the teeth and jaw.

Mouthguard For Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes a person to temporarily stop breathing while being asleep. This prevents the brain from receiving sufficient oxygen and increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. It also leaves you feeling dizzy or numb the next day. However, those suffering from mild sleep apnea can take help of custom-made mouthguard that pushes your lower jaw and tongue forward, thereby keeps the airway open.

So, whether you are suffering from a sleep disorder or active at playing sports, mouthguards offer the best possible solution. If you are not sure about choosing the right type, consult our dentists. They will suggest you a custom mouthguard based on your needs.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.