Custom Mouth Guard vs. Over the Counter

Mouth guards are dental appliances that cover teeth. They may be used to protect your teeth from trauma or ease the symptoms of sleep apnea. When looking for mouthguards near you, you may opt for store-bought or customized ones. Read on to learn the benefits of both types and how to choose one.

Who Needs Mouthguards?

Mouthguards have various uses. The dentist may recommend them if you play contact sports. You may also get them if you participate in activities with a high fall risk. They are usually worn during boxing, hockey, gymnastics, or ice skating. These appliances are known as sports mouthguards. They considerably minimize your risk of damaged or knocked-out teeth.

The dentist may recommend mouthguards in Houston, TX, for people with bruxism. Such appliances are known as night guards, usually worn at night. They help protect teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching, such as enamel wear. Night guards also reduce the effects of TMJ disorders that occur when you grind or clench your teeth.

Mouth guards are also used if you have obstructive sleep apnea. The dentist will customize them to open your airway as you sleep, making breathing easier. They prevent snoring and help you to sleep without interruptions due to breathing difficulties.

The dental appliances are suitable for patients of all ages. Dentists especially recommend them to people who play sports frequently or have bruxism. Also, mouthguards can benefit kids participating in sports or activities with a high risk of falling. So, you should get your children customized mouthguards from the pediatric dentist in Houston.

Types of Mouthguards

There are two major types of mouthguards—those obtained over the counter and those custom-made by a dentist.

• Over the counter mouth guards

These are pre-made mouthguards that can easily be obtained from a store or pharmacy. They are used during sports but are inappropriate for treating sleep apnea. Although store-bought guards are less expensive, they are less effective. Also, they are bulky and uncomfortable.

Over-the-counter mouthguards come in two different types. You can get Stock mouthguards which are worn as they are straight from the box. If you want a more comfortable option, you can get boil-and-bite mouthguards. Before using them, you should put them in hot water and then bite them. Doing so helps to customize them slightly.

• Custom-made mouth guards

Custom-made mouthguards in Houston, TX, are created to fit precisely to your teeth. The dentist personalizes them to prevent bruxism or treat sleep apnea. These guards are ideal for treating sleep apnea in kids as they can be worn without a CPAP machine.

In addition, the sports mouth guard can be custom-made according to the type of sports your kids play. This offers them better protection against dental trauma. Also, due to discomfort, kids do not get the urge to remove the appliances in the middle of a game.

Benefits of Wearing a Custom-Made Mouthguard

Some people need to pay more attention to wearing these dental appliances even when recommended by a dentist. Wearing a mouthguard can help you avoid various problems. When you wear a sports mouth guard, it will cushion your teeth from impact. Therefore, you will prevent chipped or knocked-out teeth, tooth-pulp damage, and soft tissue injury.

Wearing a night mouth guard can help reduce your risk for the effects of bruxism. They include enamel damage which increases the risk of cavities, pulp infections, and tooth loss. The guards also prevent temporomandibular joint damage when you are grinding or clenching your teeth.

Patients with temporomandibular joint disorders can reduce the symptoms with night guards. The guards ease jaw pain, headaches, facial pain, earache, and jaw tenderness. These oral appliances also help prevent snoring and other complications of sleep apnea. For example, they reduce your risk of high blood pressure. They also help you avoid daytime fatigue or lack of concentration.

What Happens if My Kid Needs a Custom Mouthguard?

First, you should schedule an appointment for them at Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry. The dentist will identify the issue and take the child’s dental images. They do this painlessly using a unique digital wand. Next, the experts will send the scans to the lab to fabricate a customized mouthguard. Getting custom-made mouthguards is fast and pain-free.