Did you know that mouth guards, also called mouth protectors, help prevent oral wounds?
If you have teeth grinding, sleep apnea, or need to protect your mouth during sports like boxing, hockey, or lacrosse, a mouth guard can help you.
How you can get one? It's simple. You can either buy a ready-made mouth guard or have a dentist create a custom one for you.
Custom mouth guards are particularly worth the investment because they offer many benefits.
Before deciding if custom mouth guards are right for you, it's important to learn all about them and see if they are a good solution for your needs.
In this article, we will explain why custom mouth guards are better than other options and why both children and adults should have them.
Mouth guards are dental devices designed to cover and protect your teeth, usually made to fit over your upper teeth.
However, in some cases, your dentist might also recommend using a mouth guard for your lower teeth.
These guards are constructed from a durable thermoplastic material.
You can choose between a generic mouth guard or a custom-made one.
Custom mouth guards are designed to fit your teeth perfectly, meeting your specific needs.
A custom-fit mouth guard is made by taking a mold of your teeth and mouth.
By doing this, dentists can create a fit that tightly covers each tooth while providing good protection.
Because they are custom-designed to fit your teeth, they are typically more comfortable than store-bought mouth guards.
The dentist will start by taking an impression of your teeth to make a custom-fit guard. They may use dental putty to create a precise mold of your smile by forming it to the crevices of your teeth.
The dentist can either send the mold to the lab or use it directly in their office to make your mouth guard.
They use layers of superheated plastic to create the mouthguard according to specific requirements. Then, they cool the mouthguard to increase its durability.
Dentists can thicken the mouth guard to reduce jaw pressure for people who clench, grind, or gnash their teeth forcefully.
A good impression is important when making a mouth guard to guarantee a comfortable fit that protects the roots and gums, not just the teeth.
A poorly fitted mouth guard from a bad impression may not stay in place, leading to insufficient protection for the roots and gums. In some cases, it might even cause discomfort when worn.
Custom mouth guards offer many benefits that are worth considering:
Another popular option is store-bought mouth guards. Although these guards are not too personalized to your needs, they have some benefits of their own.
These mouth guards are commonly used for two main reasons: to protect teeth while playing sports and to prevent teeth grinding during sleep.
Sports and teeth grinding mouth guards are made of a thin, flexible plastic. These mouth guards come in large, medium, and small sizes, tailored to different age groups.
Over-the-counter mouth guards are ready-made and already shaped into a smooth U-shaped tray.
These guards cover all your upper teeth to prevent them from grinding against your lower teeth.
There are two main types of store-bought mouth guards.
You can wear pre-formed guards right out of the box, while boil-and-bite guards can be slightly customized at home.
To mold a boil-and-bite mouth guard, you need to place it in boiling water for a specific amount of time as directed in the instructions. This softens the plastic, making it flexible and ready to mold to your teeth.
After heating the mouth guard, you place it carefully in the mouth over the teeth and gently bite down so that the soft plastic molds to the shape of the wearer’s teeth.
Store-bought guards can be purchased at most pharmacies, drugstores, and some online retailers and come with their own set of benefits and disadvantages.
These guards are easy to buy, affordable, and fast to fit.
But store-bought guards are not as effective as custom-made mouth guards, even though they are cheaper.
Wearing a store-bought mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding or injury is better than having no protection at all.
Because store-bought mouthguards are not custom-fitted, your teeth may not be fully shielded if you move your jaw while sleeping.
Also, these guards are not suitable for people who grind their teeth violently.
It’s common to want to know what’s best for you, a custom mouth guard or a store-bought one.
It depends on your specific needs and the goal you are looking to achieve.
Overall, certain factors must be considered before deciding to purchase one or the other.
Custom mouth guards are made to fit your mouth, unlike one-size-fits-all mouth guards you can buy without a prescription.
Even the "boil and bite" type doesn't compare to the fit of a custom mouth guard.
Many patients find that store-bought mouth guards are uncomfortable.
They are often too big and do not fit well, which can cause discomfort, breathing difficulties, and even gagging.
On the other hand, custom mouth guards are made to fit perfectly, providing maximum comfort and allowing patients to breathe and speak normally.
For the most comfort, go for a custom mouth guard.
Custom mouth guards are designed to fit your unique mouth shape, offering superior protection against dental injuries.
Store-bought mouth guards are less safe and comfortable than custom options.
They may provide some protection, but they often don't fit well, and many patients complain that they don't like to wear them.
"Boil and bite" mouth guards may be more personalized, but they are actually less effective in preventing dental injuries during sports or physical activities.
And when it comes to durability, custom mouth guards are made from strong materials to withstand daily use, so they keep their shape over time.
Store-bought mouth guards are often made from less long-lasting materials, so they can wear down quickly and may need frequent replacement.
On average, boil-and-bite mouth guards from different retailers cost less than $100, while custom-fitted guards from a professional dentist office cost between $500 and $700 in Canada.
These mouth guards need professional attention and are customized for each person's mouth.
The cost changes depending on the intended use, the amount of material needed, and any specific mouth requirements.
While custom mouth guards may be more expensive than over-the-counter alternatives, they offer better value for money in the long run.
When it comes to mouth guards, many factors are involved in deciding which to choose.
You should understand why you need this device, how long you will use it, and your budget for it.
If you prioritize comfort and plan to wear a mount guard daily, you should choose a custom option.
On the contrary, if you need a mouth guard for a specific situation, a store-bought one could be best.
However, it is best to talk with your dentist to understand what is best for you.
At Yonge & Seven Dental Care, we are happy to answer any questions you may have.
You can book an appointment here.
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