Custom Mouthguards Help Protect Against Sports Injury & Teeth Grinding

Anyone can tell you that prevention is a hugely important part of good oral health. That means twice-daily brushing and flossing, regular cleanings, good decisions with regard to diet, and avoiding smoking.

It also means getting additional protection against mouth trauma that might cause problems now or in the long run. For those who engage in athletic activity that might result in injury, or who have unconscious habits that can damage the teeth while they sleep, mouthguards offer unmatched preventative power. Not only can a good mouthguard guard against tooth loss, chipping and nerve damage, it can also protect the tongue, lips, gums and cheeks.

Sports Safety

Student athletes who play contact sports are often advised to invest in a reliable mouthguard, and that advice extends to casual athletes as well. If you’re going to be engaging in some sort of athletic activity that poses a risk to teeth – whether because it’s a contact sport or because the athlete is at risk of falling down at high speeds – it’s a good idea to look into mouth protection. Some of the athletic activities for which you might want to wear a mouthguard are:

• Basketball
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Hockey (ice or field)
• Ice skating
• In-line skating
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Skateboarding
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Battling Bruxism

Though mouthguards are commonly recommended for athletes, they also serve a valuable purpose for people who grind their teeth at night – a condition known as bruxism. It has a litany of causes, including:

• Acid reflux
• Dietary habits
• Medication side effects
• Misaligned bite
• Sleep disorders
• Smoking
• Stress

Bruxism may cause tooth, jaw and gum pain, as well as headaches, and it can damage teeth over time. Because it happens unconsciously, there are few reliable options for preventing it, so using a mouthguard to separate the top and bottom teeth and mitigate the damage is often the best bet.

Bruxism isn’t the only overnight problem potentially solved with a night guard; they can also help to deal with snoring, TMJ and obstructive sleep apnea.

Types of Mouthguards

No matter your reason for wanting a mouthguard, you have multiple options, depending on what level of protection you want, how much discomfort you can put up with and how much you’re willing to pay.

Custom Mouthguards

For the highest levels of safety and comfort, you can’t beat a custom-fitted mouthguard. These are created by dental offices specifically for individual patients. The dentist takes an impression of your teeth, then molds the mouthguard over the model. The finished product can last for years, with other mouthguards’ longevity being measured in months, though you should bring it with you to dental appointments so your dentist can inspect it for wear and damage.Though custom mouthguards are pricier than the store-bought kind, they’re made specifically for your needs and your mouth, so they offer maximal protection and the most comfortable fit. And while the vast majority of mouthguards are designed to protect the upper teeth, as they stick out more and are more likely to take a hit, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard for the lower teeth on patients who have braces. In fact, custom mouthguards are best for patients with braces, as well as bridges and dental implants.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

Establishing a halfway point between custom and one-size-fits-all, boil-and-bite mouthguards are designed to offer a limited level of customizability. Inexpensive and available over the counter, these mouthguards are made of thermoplastic, and they soften when immersed in hot water. Once the thermoplastic is soft enough, you can put it in your mouth and push it into place on your molars and front teeth, then bite down for 20 seconds to form an impression of your teeth. After that, you can run the mouthguard under cool water to solidify it. The process can be repeated later if the mouthguard becomes uncomfortable.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards can be useful for high-impact sports if you don’t play them enough for a custom mouthguard to seem worthwhile. They’re not as reliable for bruxism, as the thermoplastic material is weaker and more easily chewed through.

Night Guards

Night guards are mouthguards designed specifically for wearing at night to prevent damage from unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth. These can be custom-made, store-bought or ordered online. Night guards are made to protect your teeth and distribute the force created when your muscles flex and clench your jaws together. They are made thicker than a retainer to cover the teeth and prevent damage or attrition on your teeth. 

Mouthguard Maintenance

Like a retainer, dentures or anything else that stays in the mouth, mouthguards need to be cleaned regularly. You can clean your mouthguard by rinsing it in cold water, then using a toothbrush and soapy water to scrub it before letting it air dry. You should always brush and floss before putting the mouthguard back in, and it’s a good idea to give it a once over for holes or other damage whenever you take it out.

When not in use, your mouthguard should be kept in a sturdy case with good ventilation. You can soak it in an antimicrobial solution, such as denture cleaner or diluted mouthwash, every week or so to keep it clean. Make sure to keep it out of excessive heat – hot water, direct sunlight, etc. – to ensure it doesn’t get warped. And take caution to keep it safe from pets; dogs in particular have a reputation for destroying perfectly good mouthguards.

Is a Mouthguard Right for You?

Do you think a custom mouthguard might be a good option? Is there a chance it will improve your or your child’s safety when playing sports, or keep you from damaging your teeth by grinding them at night? Get in touch with our team at Springfield Dental Group, and we’ll help you determine whether a mouthguard will work for you.