Mouth Guards Should Be Customized to Help Protect Your Teeth

Mouth guards seek to protect the teeth from physical damage by creating a barrier to hold the teeth in place when struck by outside forces. Most mouth guards sit on the top of the teeth while the bottom teeth are left bare. A quality mouth guard should possess three main qualities. First, it offers the most protection possible. Second, it should be comfortable to wear. And third, it should be easy to clean.

Mouth Guards for Sports

If you’re playing sports or have been recommended a mouth guard because of nighttime teeth grinding, you may know that there are many options available to you. However, not all mouth guards are made the same. Mouth guards come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. Stock mouth guards can be bought over the counter and can usually be found in sporting goods stores as well as some grocery stores. Stock mouth guards get their name because they are a one-size-fits-all product. They are the cheapest of the three types of mouth guards, but they offer little to no protection against physical damage. Boil and bite guards, like stock mouth guards, can be found in most sporting goods stores and grocery stores. They are slightly more expensive, but are more comfortable than stock mouth guards. They get their name from the way they are fitted to your teeth. For these types of guards, you soak them in hot water and bite them to get a better fit. Like stock mouth guards, they offer little in the way of protection, however, they do make breathing through the mouth easier.

We Can Help with Custom Mouth Guards

Custom-fitted mouth guards can only be created at a dentistry like ours. Custom-fitted guards offer the most comfort and most safety. We will take a mold of your teeth and create a mouth guard that exactly fits your teeth. Unlike other guards, custom-fitted guards are great for stopping physical damage because they fit the snuggest on the teeth. If you’re interested in getting a custom-fitted mouth guard to protect your teeth, give us a call. We can schedule an appointment to get it to you right away.