Mouthguards Layton, UT

Woodland Park Dental
Dr. Caesar Hearne

Dental mouth guards are used by a wide range of individuals for a variety of purposes. If you are an athlete who participates in impact sports, if you wake up with a sore mouth, there are options available. It is essential to consider the various styles of mouthguards and their intended uses before purchasing to ensure that you have the suitable equipment for the job.

Mouthguards are divided into three basic categories. Although they both have the same general purpose – to secure your teeth – there are several distinctions worth noting.

  • Stock Mouth Protectors – These pieces of equipment are ready to wear as they leave the store. They come in a variety of sizes to provide a good match. However, these mouthguards are limited in their adjustability, and their low price ends up costing you in terms of convenience, ability to breathe correctly, and speech ability. These protectors are available at most sporting goods retailers, but dentists do not prescribe them.
  • Boil and Bite Mouth Protectors – These protectors provide a slight increase in customization over the stock guards. They are available in a variety of styles at most sports goods retailers. They are constructed of a thermoplastic substance that is boiled and then bit into by the user. They fit more snugly against the teeth than stock mouthguards, but many people always complain about the way they work.
  • Custom Fitted Mouth Protectors – These devices are the most customized of the three styles since they are built and assembled specifically for each patient. The mouthguards are made by taking an impression of your teeth and then customizing them to your precise bite and tooth style. Due to the enhanced customization, these mouthguards are usually the most costly of the three, but they often have better matches and safety.

Typically, mouthguards are only intended to fit over the top teeth since this offers some security to prevent you from scratching or injuring your lower teeth. However, under some circumstances, the dentist can even design a mouthguard for your lower teeth. These are also used to protect patients who have braces or other dental devices. You can consult with our dentist to determine the right course of action for you.

When you get your mouthguard(s), be sure that they match correctly. A mouthguard should be simple to insert, easy to wear, and should not impair your breathing or ability to talk. Additionally, mouthguards should be sturdy, tear-resistant, and simple to clean.

PATIENTS WHO NEED MOUTHGUARDS

Although mouthguards are not suitable for all, dentists see many patients that should be wearing them but aren’t, and it’s critical to learn when you should be wearing them. Children and adults who participate in rugby, baseball, boxing, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, ice hockey, swimming, gymnastics, and skateboarding should strongly suggest wearing mouthguards.

Patients who grind their teeth at night, in addition to athletes, should recommend using a mouthguard, bite plate, or bite splint to shield their teeth from wear and decay. Finally, patients wearing dental equipment such as braces and experience scraping or rawness on their lips or gums may want to seek mouthguards.

OVERVIEW

Often patients are unsure whether to wear a mouthguard. If you are contemplating the possibility, contact us today to discuss your choices.

801-416-1603
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