Mouth guards are used for protecting your teeth against teeth grinding or clenching during sleep. It also guards teeth against sports injuries. They are also helpful in reducing snoring and improving obstructive sleep apnea. This post explores everything you need to know about mouth guards.
Are Mouthguards and Retainers Same?
Some people are often confused between a retainer and a mouthguard. The functionality of both is different. A retainer is used to maintain the position of the teeth after the completion of orthodontic treatment. The night guard is not used for orthodontic treatment while retainers are used for that function.
Nightguards or mouthguards, on the other hand, are used to protect the teeth from damage during sleep according to the American Sleep Association.
If your teeth grinding gets so severe that it has caused damaged or broken teeth, or painful jaw muscles as well as damage in the underlying bone, then your dentist will prescribe you a mouth guard to prevent any further damage to the teeth.
How to Clean Mouth Guard?
To maintain the durability of your teeth, deep cleaning of your mouthguard is essential. To clean your mouth guard, simply rinse it with mouthwash before and after every use. You can also use cold water, mild soap and toothbrush to clean it.
You must keep your mouthguard in a firm perforated container with open-air circulation to prevent from any damage. Also, protect it from extremely high and low temperatures to save its shape from distortion.
Visit your dentist regularly to keep a check on the condition of your mouthguard. If your mouth guards have damaged, then you should replace them as soon as possible.
Types of Mouthguards
There are different types of night guards in the market. It includes:
- Stock Mouth Guards
Stock guards are readily available in all drug stores or sports good stores. They are only available in limited sizes due to which they don’t fit comfortably on everyone, thereby causing breathing and talking difficult.
- Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
Boil and bite mouth guards are made from thermoplastic material. They are placed in water to soften and then shaped around the teeth with the help of the tongue pressure. They fit better than the stock guards.
- Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Custom made mouthguards are customized for all individuals by a dentist. The dentist creates an impression of your teeth and uses it to create a mouth guard for your teeth.
These are the best fitted and most comfortable guards that provide protection against sports injuries. It even help reduce snoring and sleep apnea.
Benefits of Mouthguards
Night guards offer tons of perks:
- Mouthguards help in protecting your teeth from all types of sports injuries. They limit the risk of injuries to your lips, tongue or soft tissues of the mouth. It even provides protection against chipped or broken teeth, and nerve damage or tooth loss.
- They also reduce the problems of teeth grinding. It is a serious problem that can lead to jaw pain, tooth pains, sore gums or can even damage your teeth.
- Mouthguards work by keeping your upper and lower teeth separated, thereby preventing them from the pressure of the clenching or grinding of your teeth.
- Some people suffer from sleep apnea that temporarily stops their breathing during their sleep. Sleep apnea can prevent the brain from receiving sufficient oxygen and increases the risk of heart diseases. To treat this condition, the mouthguard works by pushing your lower jaw and tongue forward. It helps in keeping the airway open. You can get them installed by your skilled dentist.
- Snoring can interfere with your daily life. To treat this problem, you should visit your dentist for mouth guard options. Mouthguards work by pulling your lower jaw forward that keeps the airway open and help in reducing your snoring at night.
To conclude, if you are suffering from sleep apnea, snoring problems, or teeth grinding problem, then guards can help in reducing your sleep problems and will help you sleep better at night. They also prevent tooth damage from sports activities.
If you are considering mouth guards treatment in Scottsdale AZ, visit Landmark Smiles today. The expert team of doctors will suggest your best treatment option for all your dental problems and that too at cost-effective rates.