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To prevent damage to the teeth, gums, and jaws during a variety of activities, including sports and the treatment of sleep-related disorders like bruxism, mouth guards are essential pieces of protective gear. Selecting the right mouth guard is crucial to ensuring comfort and efficacy in protecting dental health. In this blog, we’ll go over the various kinds of mouth guards and guide selecting the best one for each activity, including sports or obtaining a good night’s sleep.
Understand Why Mouth Guards Are Important
Mouth guards work as a barrier of protection, absorbing and distributing impact forces that could otherwise cause dental injuries like chipped teeth, wounded lips, and fractured jaws. They are necessary in sports, where falls and collisions are frequent, to prevent these kinds of injuries. Furthermore, mouth guards can help people with bruxism— a disorder in which they grind or clench their teeth as they sleep— by reducing symptoms and preventing tooth damage.
Types of Mouth Guards
Not every mouth guard is made equal when it comes to safeguarding your teeth during different activities. These are the main types of mouth guards that are available:
Stock Mouth Guards
Available in common sizes, stock mouth guards are pre-formed. Despite being widely accessible and reasonably priced, they can offer inadequate fit and insufficient protection. Stock mouth guards may not provide the same level of comfort and customization as other mouth guard types provide, but they are still appropriate for people who require temporary protection or are on a tight budget.
Boil-And-Bite Mouth Guards
Mouth guards designed to withstand boiling water are composed of thermoplastic materials that soften and become flexible. The mouth guard is inserted into the mouth when it has softened, enabling the user to bite down and mold it to suit their teeth. In comparison to stock mouth guards, boil-and-bite mouth guards provide superior customization and fit, making them appropriate for a variety of purposes, such as sports and the treatment of bruxism.
Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards
Dental experts create custom-fitted mouth guards using impressions of the wearer’s teeth. With the highest degree of personalization available, these mouth guards guarantee a precise fit and the best possible comfort. Custom-fitted mouth guards provide more protection and durability than stock and boil-and-bite choices, so they are a great choice for athletes playing high-impact sports and those with bruxism who need to wear them for extended periods.
Selecting the Appropriate Mouth Guards for Any Activity
Choosing the right mouth guard for every activity is essential to guaranteeing sufficient protection and comfort. Here is a guide to assist you in choosing the best mouth guard for the activity and your unique needs:
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Sports
Custom-fitted mouth guards are advised for high-impact contact sports like rugby, football, and hockey to maximize stability and protection. Boil-and-bite mouth guards are a good choice for athletes who play baseball, basketball, and soccer because they provide an adequate balance of protection and comfort. Because of their low effectiveness, stock mouth guards are generally not advised for use during sporting activities.
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Bruxism Management
Mouth guards that are fitted to order and made especially for use at night can help people who suffer from bruxism. By cushioning the teeth and lowering grinding pressures, these mouth guards can ease symptoms including tooth sensitivity and jaw pain. For mild to severe cases of bruxism, boil-and-bite mouth guards may also be appropriate.
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Sleep Apnea And Snoring
Patients with disruptive sleep apnea (OSA) or snoring are frequently prescribed mandibular advancement devices (MADs), or mouth guards. By moving the lower jaw forward as you sleep, these devices help to expand your airway and lessen airflow resistance.
Custom-made MADs provide a non-invasive substitute for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, guaranteeing a comfortable fit and maximum efficacy in addressing breathing disorders associated with sleep.
ALIGNERCO: Your Source for Custom-Fit Mouth Guards
We at ALIGNERCO recognize how crucial it is to keep your smile safe. That's why in addition to clear aligner treatment, we provide custom-fit mouth guards. To ensure a precise fit and maximum comfort, our mouth guards are made using a handy at-home impression kit.
Provides essential dental equipment for sports safety as follows:
- When engaging in recreational or competitive sports, protect your teeth.
- Specifically designed to fit your mouth, it guarantees comfortable speaking, breathing, and hydration.
- Designed to disperse and absorb force while protecting from harm.
In a nutshell, selecting the appropriate mouth guard is crucial for maintaining dental health and avoiding accidents throughout a range of activities, including sleeping and sports. People can make educated judgments to guarantee comfort and efficacy in protecting their smiles by being aware of the many mouth guard types that are available and their uses.
Choosing an ALIGNERO custom-fit mouth guard will provide you with maximum protection, maximum comfort, and peace of mind. Investing in the appropriate mouth guard is essential for maintaining oral health and general wellbeing, whether you're hitting the field.
FAQs
1. How can I choose the best mouth guard for playing sports?
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Custom-fitted mouth guards provide better protection and stability for high-impact contact sports. For sports involving moderate contact, boil-and-bite mouth guards are appropriate.
2. Can mouth guards be used to treat bruxism, the grinding of teeth?
With proper care, each set can last for several months. Our Smile Retention Plan ensures you always have a fresh set when it’s time for a replacement.
3. What kind of mouth guard is suggested to treat snoring or sleep apnea?
Mandibular advancement devices, or MADs, are frequently administered to people who snore or have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
