Month: January 2021

types of mouth guards

What Type of Mouth Guard Should I Be Using?

There are many reasons why wearing a mouth guard could benefit you.  There are also a few different types of mouth guards out there.  Which one is right for you? And when should you wear it?

Mouthguards are used to protect you from certain injuries, but also to help protect your teeth from grinding and clenching at night while you’re sleeping.  There are three main types of mouth guards out there and they each come with their own benefits, making some more beneficial for certain situations than others.

Types of Mouth Guards

There are a few different types of mouth guards out there, but the three primary types of mouth guards out there are:

·         Stock Mouth Guards

·         Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards

·         Custom Made Mouth Guards

 

Let’s dig in a bit deeper to see what each entails.

Stock Mouth Guards

Stock mouth guards are typically the most affordable options out there and can be found at most sporting good stores.  However, there isn’t much to be done regarding how they fit.  They are rather bulky and may make breathing and talking difficult because to keep the mouth guard in place and to prevent movement, the jaw must be clenched shut.  These mouth guards fit over the top of your teeth and come in small, medium and large sizes.

Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards

Also called “mouth-formed” mouth guards, this particular version of mouth guard is similar to the stock mouth guard as it is relatively inexpensive and can be found at most sporting good stores.  They come in one size that you can customize to fit your teeth.  The process to fitting this mouth guard to your teeth includes boiling the mouth guard until it softens and then placing it over your teeth and biting down.  Don’t worry, if you choose to use one of these, they all come with instructions to help you customize the fit.  One of the advantages to this mouth guard is that if the fit is not comfortable on your first attempt to boil and bite, you can restart the process by boiling it again.

Custom Made Mouth Guards

A custom-made mouth guard is designed to fit comfortably and offer the most protection as it is custom made by your dentist, specifically for your mouth.  Dr. Adesanya would take an impression of your teeth, which would then be used by his lab technician to create the custom-fitted mouth guard.  This mouth guard is the costliest of the three options, but also, the safest and most comfortable option out there.

Determining Which Mouth Guard to Use

Now that we’ve talked about the three main options out there, which one is right for you?  Four of the main reasons people seek out mouth guards are for:

·         Sports

·         Sleep Apnea

·         Snoring

·         Teeth Grinding

 

Each of those comes with their own form of trouble and not all mouth guards are a good fit for the lot of those.  So, which one is right for you?

Sports

Many sports are considered high risk in terms of receiving an injury that could cause damage to your face.  Some of those sports include football, soccer, boxing, basketball, field hockey, baseball, softball, wrestling, and more.

For those involved in recreational sports such as those mentioned above, a stock mouth guard or boil-and-bite mouth guard may be a good option as you’re likely only wearing the mouth guard occasionally.  They are the most affordable options out there for a mouth guard you’ll only be wearing every once in a while.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that is serious in nature as it causes a person to stop breathing while they are asleep.  A CPAP machine is often used for those with sleep apnea to help those suffering with it to keep their airways open.  For those with mild cases of sleep apnea, a custom-made mouth guard from your dentist may actually offer a similar effect.  However, it is best to consult with your doctor and your dentist to determine what may be the right treatment plan for you.

The stock and boil-and-bite mouth guards would not be a good option for those suffering from sleep apnea.

Snoring

Did you know that mouth guards can help reduce snoring? Your spouse will thank you for this one! Talk to your dentist to see if they have a brand that they recommend of if a custom mouth guard would be the right option for you.

Teeth Grinding

A form of bruxism, teeth griding and clenching often occurs while an individual is sleeping.  This disorder can cause a whole host of issue ranging from tooth and jaw pain to sore gums or even fractured teeth. A mouth guard worn while sleeping can help keep separated so the pressure from grinding and clenching doesn’t result in further damage to your teeth.  While a custom fitted mouth guard from your dentist is your best option, a boil-and-bite mouth guard can also do the job.  However, the boil-and-bite mouth guards do tend to become brittle with frequent use.

Family Dentist in Bowie, Maryland

For help with choosing the right mouth guard or to talk to Dr. Adesanya about getting your custom fitted mouth guard made, give his office a call at 301-464-1800.