Your Guide to Mouth Guards

The primary use of mouth guards is to protect your teeth from damage. Even if you do not play sports or participate in many physical activities, you can still damage your teeth by grinding them while you sleep, which is why dentists recommend the use of mouth guards to most of their patients.

What types of mouth guards are available?

The three major types of mouth guards available today include:

Stock mouth protectors

These are premade mouth guards that can be found at sporting goods stores. They are inexpensive and come in the same size, which makes them impossible to customize to fit your mouth. These types of mouth guards make it difficult to breathe and are not recommended by dentists.

Boil-and-bite protectors

These are also available for purchase at any sporting goods store but they provide a better fit than the stock mouth guards because they are made from a material that softens when placed in hot water and can be shaped around your teeth to improve the fit.

Custom-made protectors

These are considered the best type of mouth guard to buy because they are designed specifically for you by your dentist, who will make an impression of your teeth to make sure the mouth guard fits snuggly. Due to the extra attention to detail in creating the mouth guard, it is the most expensive type of mouth guard you can get.

Why do I need a mouth guard?

Your dentist will recommend getting a mouth guard if you meet any of the following criteria.

Teeth grinding

Grinding your teeth leads to significant wear on your teeth that can eventually cause serious damage if left unaddressed. The condition, which is known as bruxism, can be caused by stress or lack of sleep. It can also be amplified by heavy consumption of alcohol and the use of tobacco products.

Since you can eventually wear out the enamel protecting your teeth, dentists recommend using a mouth guard to protect your teeth from damage while you sleep.

TMJ disorders

Temporomandibular disorders, widely known as TMJ, cause your jaw to click and are followed by pain or headaches, which makes it difficult to sleep at night. You can protect yourself from the pain associated with TMJ by wearing a mouth guard. Due to the fact that TMJ affects people differently, getting a customized mouth guard is the best way to deal with the clicking and wear on your teeth.

Play sports

If you live an active lifestyle and play physical sports on a regular basis, you should buy a customized mouth guard to protect your teeth from trauma in case you take a blow to the face.

Do I need a mouth guard to play sports if I wear braces?

Yes, you need to wear a mouth if you wear braces and also participate in a lot of physical activity to prevent damage to your mouth and teeth. A blow to the mouth when you are not wearing a mouth guard can cause a lot of damage, especially if your braces are metal, and wearing a mouth guard can save you a lot of pain.

Conclusion

Wearing a mouth guard is a great way to protect your teeth from damage, especially if you are active or constantly grind your teeth. If you are interested in getting a mouth guard, ask your dentist which type is right for you.

Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.

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