Dental Mouthguards: Essential for Your Oral Health
Your teeth are strong, but they are not immune to damage. Accidents during physical activities, contact sports, or nighttime teeth grinding can lead to dental injuries, tooth wear, or even a dental emergency. A properly fitted mouthguard provides a protective barrier that helps safeguard your smile.
At Kevin Spees Dentistry, patients in Zionsville, Indiana, and Lebanon, Indiana, can receive custom mouthguard solutions designed for comfort and effective protection. Dr. Kevin Spees, DDS, and Dr. Patrick Coulter, DDS, work with patients to determine the right type of mouthguard for their specific needs, regardless of the sport they participate in.
Custom dental appliances are designed to fit the shape of your teeth and provide reliable dental protection while supporting long-term oral health.
How a Mouthguard Protects Your Teeth
A dental mouthguard acts as a cushion between your upper teeth and lower teeth. This protective barrier helps absorb the force of impact or pressure that could otherwise damage your teeth or surrounding structures.
Wearing a mouthguard can help prevent several types of dental damage, including:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Damage to tooth enamel
- Injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth
- Jaw pain or facial pain
- Strain on the temporomandibular joint
For athletes involved in contact sports, sports mouthguards help reduce the risk of dental injuries during collisions or falls. In the long run, using a dental guard can help protect your pearly whites and reduce the likelihood of needing restorative dental work.
Types of Mouthguards
When choosing a mouthguard, you have a few types to consider. Each type offers a different level of protection, comfort, and cost, so it's important to know the differences. Understanding these options can help you make the best choice for your needs.
Pre-Made Guards
Pre-made guards, often called stock mouthguards, are widely available at sporting goods stores. These stock mouthguards come in standard sizes and are designed to be worn right out of the package.
Because they are not customized, stock mouthguards rarely provide a perfect fit. They may feel bulky in the mouth and can sometimes interfere with breathing or speaking during physical activities.
While these options may offer some basic dental protection, they typically do not provide the best protection compared to professionally made dental appliances.
Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards
Boil-and-bite mouthguards are another common option found at sporting goods stores. These mouthguards are made from a thermoplastic material that softens when placed in hot water.
After softening the material, the user bites into the mouthguard, allowing it to mold to the contours of their teeth. Once placed in cool water, the guard hardens and retains its shape.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards generally offer a better fit than stock mouthguards, but they still may not match the precise shape of your teeth. Because of this, they may not provide the same level of effective protection as a custom guard created by a dental professional.
Custom Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards are created specifically for your teeth at a dental office. These dental appliances are made using an impression of your teeth, which is then sent to a professional dental lab.
At the lab, technicians create a model of your teeth and craft a custom guard that fits the contours of your teeth precisely. Because they are made for your mouth alone, custom mouthguards offer the best fit, optimal comfort, and the highest level of dental protection.
Patients in Zionsville, Indiana, and Lebanon, Indiana often choose custom guards because they provide reliable protection during sports or while sleeping.
Benefits of Custom Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards offer several advantages over store-bought options.
Some of the most important benefits include:
- Better fit: Custom mouthguards are made from an impression of your teeth, ensuring a secure, comfortable fit.
- Better protection: A custom guard distributes pressure more evenly, reducing the risk of dental damage.
- Greater comfort: Because the appliance follows the shape of your teeth, it feels less bulky in the mouth.
- Durability: Custom guards made in a professional dental lab are designed to last longer than over-the-counter options.
- Protection for dental work: Patients with dental restorations, orthodontic treatment, or other dental appliances may benefit from additional protection during sports or nighttime grinding.
For patients with teeth grinding, a custom night guard or bite splint can also help relieve jaw pain and reduce stress on the jaw joint.
Do All Athletes Need a Mouthguard?
If you participate in contact sports, wearing a mouthguard is essential for dental protection. Sports like football, boxing, hockey, basketball, and soccer carry a high risk of blows to the face that can lead to serious dental injuries. A sports mouthguard can prevent chipped, broken, or even knocked-out teeth. It's a small piece of equipment that can save you from a lot of pain and expensive dental work.
Even athletes in non-contact sports with a high risk of falls should consider a mouthguard. Activities like gymnastics, ice skating, and biking can lead to accidents that damage your teeth. Wearing a mouthguard provides a crucial layer of defense. Anyone who is active and wants to protect their smile should think about using one.
What to Expect When Getting a Custom Mouthguard
The process of receiving a custom mouthguard is straightforward and typically requires just one or two visits to our Zionsville or Lebanon dental office.
During your appointment, we will take an impression of your teeth. This impression captures the exact contours of your teeth and bite alignment. The impression is then sent to a professional dental lab where technicians create a model of your teeth. Using this model, they design a custom guard that fits your mouth comfortably.
Once the mouthguard is complete, you will return to the dental office for a fitting appointment. Our team will ensure the guard fits properly and provide instructions on how to use and care for it. Because the appliance is designed specifically for your mouth, patients often find that custom mouthguards provide optimal comfort and reliable protection.
Caring for Your Mouthguard
Proper care helps extend the lifespan of your mouthguard and maintain good oral health.
After each use, rinse the mouthguard with cool water and gently clean it with a toothbrush. Avoid using hot water, which can warp the thermoplastic material.
Additional care tips include:
- Allow the mouthguard to air dry completely
- Store it in a ventilated travel case
- Keep it away from high heat or direct sunlight
- Bring it to dental appointments so we can check its condition
Maintaining good oral hygiene habits and keeping your mouthguard clean helps prevent bacterial buildup and protects your dental health.
How Often Should I Replace My Mouthguard?
The lifespan of your mouthguard depends on how often you wear it and the amount of wear and tear it endures. With proper care, a custom-made mouthguard can last for several years. However, it's important to inspect it regularly for cracks, holes, or thinning areas.
Bringing your mouthguard to your dental checkups at Kevin Spees Dentistry is the best way to know when a replacement is needed. We can check its condition and determine if it still offers better protection. Children and teens may need replacements more frequently as their mouths and teeth grow and change. Any new dental work, such as crowns or bridges, might also require a new guard to ensure proper fit and continued dental health.
Protect Your Smile With Custom Mouthguards in Zionsville and Lebanon
Protecting your teeth is an important part of maintaining long-term oral health. The right mouthguard can help prevent dental damage while you participate in your favorite activity.
At Kevin Spees Dentistry, patients in Zionsville, Indiana, and Lebanon, Indiana, receive personalized care and high-quality dental appliances designed for effective protection. Dr. Kevin Spees, DDS, and Dr. Patrick Coulter, DDS, work with each patient to determine the best type of mouthguard for their lifestyle and dental health needs.
If you are interested in sports mouthguards, nightguards for teeth grinding, or other protective dental solutions, our expert team is here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about custom mouthguards designed to protect your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mouthguards affect breathing during sports?
Properly fitted custom mouthguards are designed to allow normal breathing while still providing protection. Ill-fitting or generic options are more likely to feel bulky or restrictive.
Can I wear a mouthguard with braces or other orthodontic treatment?
Yes. Specially designed mouthguards can be made to accommodate braces and other orthodontic appliances while still providing protection during activity.
Is it safe to talk while wearing a mouthguard?
Yes, although it may take a short adjustment period. Custom mouthguards are shaped to fit more comfortably, making speaking easier compared to bulkier over-the-counter options.
How should I clean my mouthguard after use?
It should be rinsed with cool water and gently brushed with a soft toothbrush. Avoid harsh cleaners or hot water, which can damage the material.
