What Are the Multiple Uses of Mouthguards In the Treatment of Teeth?
Losing one or some of your teeth suddenly can cause difficulty speaking, smiling, and even chewing. Knowing how to prevent this from happening to your child is especially important if they regularly participate in sports or spontaneous recreational activities.
Mouthguards are dental appliances, also called mouth protectors, that absorb blows on your face, therefore minimizing the risk of breaking your teeth and injury to your jaw, lips, face, or tongue. They are meant to cover your upper teeth because your upper teeth stick out and take the brunt of trauma and protect your lips, soft tissues of your cheeks, and tongue.
Types of Mouthguards
There are different types of mouthguards, each serving a specific purpose. They include:
- Stock mouthguards. They are the most affordable and available types of mouthguards, which come in different sizes
- Boil and bite mouthguards are sold in most drugstores and arse relatively cheap. They come in one size but can be custom-made to fit you.
- Custom-made mouthguards. The dentist will mold them to fit your teeth. They are relatively expensive since they are not readily available in drugstores.
Uses of Mouthguards
Mouthguards have different functions, which include,
- Teeth grinding
Teeth grinding and clenching are symptoms related to bruxism, which is sleep-related that can cause problems such as jaw pain, sore gums, and tooth pain; it can also cause damage to your teeth.
Sleeping with a mouthguard between your upper and lower teeth makes them separate and can protect your teeth from grinding or clenching.
If your child needs a mouthguard, visit our pediatric dentist near you. The dentist will advise you to get a custom-made one if they are experiencing bruxism. On the other hand, stock mouthguards are uncomfortable and hard to keep in place, and they can cause difficulty in sleeping. While boil and bite may fit well, they become weak and brittle with frequent usage.
- Sports
Some sports have a high risk of falling, and this may cause injuries or hefty blows to your oral cavity breaking your teeth, or causing trauma to your lips, jaw, or tongues. It is crucial to have a mouthguard when participating in the following sports activities: football, ice hockey, boxing, field hockey, basketball, and many more.
Stock or boil and bite mouthguards are preferred protection while participating in. Stock mouthguards are cheaper and can are advisable if you will only use them occasionally.
- Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that makes someone temporarily stop breathing while asleep. Besides preventing oxygen from reaching the rest of your body, it also increases the risk of heart disease or stroke.
If your child has mild sleep apnea, Dr. Leornado Koerich will provide them with custom-made mouthguards, which push the lower jaw and tongue downwards, keeping their airways open while sleeping.
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Your dentist may advise you to wear a mouthguard for the TMJ if you or your child are diagnosed with a temporomandibular joint disorder. These mouthguards ease the pain, keep the jaw in a position to correct an improper bite, prevent the jaw from locking, and also keeps your teeth from clenching or grinding each other.
How to Take Care of Mouth guards
Mouthguards should be properly taken care of and cleaned because it stays in your mouth for a long time. Our kids’ dentist in Lancaster, SC at 29720 will advise you to ensure that your child takes care of their mouthguards by:
- Brushing and flossing your teeth before wearing mouthguards
- Rinse your mouthguard with mouthwash or cold water before wearing them. Please avoid the use of warm water, which can make its shape warped.
- Clean them with a toothbrush and toothpaste
- Regular inspect them for holes or any damage that may show that they need replacement.
- Always take your mouthguards when having dental appointments. Your dentist can check them to see if they need replacement or if they still fit well.
- Keep the mouthguard out of reach of your pets, even if it is stored in a container.
- Store your mouthguards in a hard ventilated container to protect and allow them to dry between uses.
If your child needs a mouthguard for an of the above function, visit Kids First Dental Lancaster. We are different kinds of mouth guards for various functions.