The Importance Of Wearing Mouthguards

Do you know that wearing mouthguards at night can improve your sleep? Here are some interesting facts about these useful oral devices.

Mouthguards are a staple for most professional athletes who play contact sports such as basketball, football, and boxing. They are specially designed to protect the person’s set of teeth from sports-related injuries.

You might find them uncomfortable to wear, but at least your teeth will stay protected from any impact brought about by contact sports.

Aside from sports, mouthguards are also used for health reasons. But first, we need to know the different types of mouthguards and the fantastic benefits of wearing them aside from preventing your teeth from getting knocked out.

Types Of Mouthguards

As mentioned, there are several types of mouthguards. Each of these mouthguards comes in different sizes that will accommodate your protection needs.

These are the different types you can choose from depending on your preferences:

1. Stock Mouthguards

You can buy these in drug stores or sports stores. They usually only cover the upper teeth. They are also available in different sizes.

While these are affordable and not hard to find, they can be uncomfortable to wear and affect your speech.

2. Boil-And-Bite Mouthguards

These are also available in sports and drug stores. They have one size that can be customized to fit snugly in your teeth.

As the name suggests, you need to boil the item until it becomes soft. Once done, you can place it on your upper teeth to achieve that perfect fit. Better yet, follow the instruction guide that comes with the packaging.

3. Customized Mouthguards

These are only available in dental clinics near you. Dentists will have to measure the mouthpiece to ensure a perfect fit later on.

If you have health insurance, you don’t have to worry about the cost of customizing your mouthguards.

Health Benefits Of Wearing Mouthguards

As mentioned, mouthguards are a must for athletes who play contact sports such as boxing, basketball, and football. You should remember that wearing them can improve your health in general.

Boxing mouthguards are also recommended for those who grind their teeth. This condition can cause jaw and tooth pain and potentially damage your teeth later on.

This is why wearing mouthguards is crucial; doing so can prevent the adverse effects of bruxism (teeth grinding).

Also, wearing mouthguards can help individuals manage sleep apnea. People with this condition snore a lot and feel tired upon waking up. It can also heighten the risk of medical issues such as stroke and heart disease.

Over-the-counter mouthguards can work as well as ones custom-made by dentists.

Taking Care Of Your Mouthguards

In the end, it is essential to take care of your mouthguards after using them. Otherwise, you might waste a lot of money.

You should make sure that your teeth are clean before wearing the mouthguards.

After using them, you should rinse them using mouthwash or cold water and place them in a clean container. Make sure that they are dry before storing them.

You can always consult a dentist to know the best type of mouthguards for your oral needs.