The mouthguard serves various purposes because they help treat dental conditions due to sleep apnea and protects your mouth from other injuries—many people in sports use mouthguards. You can either custom design it or get it from a store.
Mouthguards are dental appliances that can cover your teeth to protect them. A mouthguard is recommended for various reasons, as they come in different types. Children and adults both can benefit from mouthguards. Most mouth guards are meant to fit over your upper jaw or teeth, and in some instances, your dentist might even recommend guards to fit in the lower teeth.
Different reasons why a dentist might recommend a mouth guard:
• Clenching and grinding of teeth
• Playing contact sports such as hockey, soccer, boxing, football, and basketball.
• Participating in those activities which might require high falls, such as biking, ice skating, or gymnastics
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea
You may either get it custom-made or from a store. Your dentist will decide depending on your condition and dental anatomy. The main aim of the mouth guard is to give you comfort and protection.
When to wear a mouthguard?
If you use a mouth guard to protect your teeth during contact sports, wear it during your game and practice. However, if you are wearing a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding, sleep apnea, or snoring, then you should wear it every night before you go to sleep. You must ask a healthcare provider if you do not know when to wear it, as they guide you with the best advice.
Understanding the benefits of wearing a mouthguard
Wearing a mouthguard while you are playing contacts sports or while you are engaging in any athletic activities can help you avoid the following:
• Knocked out
• Preventing soft tissue injury in your inner cheeks, lips, and gums
• Chipped teeth
• Damaged tooth
• Wear and tear of teeth due to grinding and clenching
• Snoring
• Facial pain, headaches, and jaw pain
• Complications related to sleep apnea include fatigue and high blood pressure.
Mouth guard comes with a series of benefits, and only a doctor can tell you when you need it.
How to care for your mouthguard?
Mouth guards quickly pick up bacteria present in your mouth. Hence it would help if you cleaned your teeth before you put on the mouth guard.
Listed below are some tips that can help you keep your mouthguard clean so that it lasts longer.
• Do not expose your mouth guard to extreme and direct heat or hot water. Hot water can change the shape of the mouthguard, or it may even warp.
• Keep your mouth guard sturdy in a plastic case even when not using it or traveling.
• Rinse your mouth guard in cool water, and you may also use soapy water and brush to clean it after each use. Then you may keep it for air drying.
• Store your mouth guard to keep it out of reach of pets and dogs.
Depending on the use, a mouthguard can last several years if you care for it properly. However, some people may replace their mouth guard often because of the changes in the dental anatomy. Go to a reputed dentist at Dublin Dental Care Ohio to inspect the cracks or any other signs of wear, and then find out whether you need a new mouth guard.
