Mouthguards Are Excellent Protectors of Your Teeth
If you want appliances to protect your teeth from injuries when playing sports, from accidents from biking ventures, when sleeping, or any other activity, you won’t find anything better available than a mouthguard. Mouthguards are dental appliances helpful in protecting your teeth from accidents or breakages when least expected.
Thinking about mouthguards can make you assume you can walk into any sports goods store to purchase a mouthguard available over the counter. However, are you aware of which variety is best for your specific needs? If not, please gather the information you want from this blog.
Sporting Mouthguards
Some sports and activities are prone to the risk of falling or resulting in injuries impacting your face. A mouthguard helps protect your teeth, preventing them from hurting your lips and tongue. If you are involved in any of the following sports, you need to have a mouthguard in possession.
Basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, football, soccer, boxing, cycling, volleyball, wrestling, et cetera. You can purchase a stock mouthguard or a boil and bite mouthguard for protecting yourself if involved in any of the sports mentioned. The least expensive are stock mouthguards and are a good option if you are using them occasionally. Boil and bite mouthguards cost slightly higher but offer a better fit helping them remain in place. Boil and bite mouthguards are an excellent option if you frequently participate in high-impact sports.
Types of Mouthguards Available
There are three types of mouthguards available in the market. They are the stock mouthguard, the boil, bite mouthguard, and the custom-made mouthguards Etobicoke, ON.
If we have confused you about the three varieties, let us explain the differences between them.
Stock Mouthguard
The most widely available and affordable variety is the stock mouthguard. These are available in most sports goods stores and drug stores. Stock mouthguards are available in small, medium, and large sizes and only cover your top teeth.
Stock mouthguards are readily available and inexpensive but accompanied by some downsides. Stock mouthguards don’t provide a proper fit because of their limited size options. These appliances make it challenging for you to talk while wearing one.
Boil and Bite Mouthguards
Boil and bite mouthguards are also sold in most drug stores and are relatively inexpensive. Boil and bite mouthguards are available in a single size for you to customize them to fit your teeth. You must boil the mouthguard until it softens before placing it over your front teeth and biting down on them.
Custom-Made Mouthguards
Mouthguards Etobicoke, ON, is custom-made for you by the dentist. The dentist takes a mold of your teeth to use it to create a dental appliance specifically suited for the structure of your teeth and mouth. Custom-made mouthguards provide a better fit than the appliances available over the counter. These appliances are comfortable to wear even when sleeping.
Mouthguards are not exclusively designed for sportspersons and also have medical uses. Let us explain some medical benefits of mouthguards for your understanding.
Bruxism
If you frequently clench and grind your teeth when sleeping, you are affected by bruxism movement, a sleep-related movement disorder. Bruxism causes various problems like tooth pain, sore gums, and damages to your teeth. If you are aware of your clenching and grinding, you can begin searching for a nightguard near you if you prefer over-the-counter varieties. However, you must remember over-the-counter appliances are ill-fitting and will not support your needs entirely. It would be a better idea for you to seek a mouthguard for grinding teeth from the Etobicoke dentist. You will likely pay a higher price for the customized oral appliance and save a lot of money on dental bills you may incur by damaging your teeth.
Sleep Apnea
Another sleep-related disorder, sleep apnea, affects approximately 13 percent of Americans. This is another problem that does not cause damages to the teeth and gums but impacts the overall health of the affected individual. Dentists have pioneered a sleep apnea mouthguard helping people to overcome this sleep-related disorder instead of using traditional and expensive methods to deal with the condition. The sleep apnea mouthguard is accepted by many as an affordable and portable appliance helping them overcome sleep apnea.
Mouthguards are an essential part of athletic gear but also have medical uses. However, over-the-counter varieties do not satisfy or are inadequate for the needs of most users. The better option for you is to invest in a custom-made mouthguard from the dentist, lasting you longer and fitting you better to offer comprehensive protection.