Types Of Mouth Guards For Teeth Grinders
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a prevalent condition that leads to a variety of dental problems if left untreated. Custom-made mouthguards for people suffering from bruxism provide excellent protection to the teeth and help reduce the signs and symptoms. Let’s now elaborate on the various types of mouth guards for teeth grinders and some of the best available in the market today.
Learn about Bruxism and Its Consequences
Bruxism is where one unconsciously grinds or clenches teeth, usually while a person is asleep. It can lead to a lot of tooth damage due to such problems as wear, fractures, or even loss of a tooth. Besides, it may cause pain and other discomforts in the jaws or head. The intensity or frequency of these must be minimized through the use of mouth guards, which help by ensuring that there is a cushion between the upper and lower teeth.
Varieties of Mouthguards for Teeth Grinders
The three basic mouth protectors for grinding teeth are stock, boil and bite, and custom. Each style provides a different level of comfort, protection, and customization.
Mouthguards Types There are three different types of mouthguards
Pre-formed
Pre-formed, ready-made stock mouthguards are the cheapest and are usually found at most sporting goods stores or even drugstores. They come ready to wear and provide the least protection and comfort. These preformed guards are made of rubber or polyvinyl, and they tend to be bulky, increase the tendency to gag, and make breathing and talking difficult because they require that the jaw is closed to hold them in place.
Mouth-formed Guards
Mouth-formed guards can be either a shell liner or a boil-and-bite kind. The first type is lined with acrylic gel or rubber that moulds to the teeth and sets to keep its shape. The second type is thermoplastic, which is placed in boiling water and then adapted and shaped to the teeth using the fingers, lips, tongue, and biting pressure.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards can be reheated and refitted if the fit isn’t comfortable initially. Both mouth-formed mouthguards are available online and at sporting goods and drug stores. These can be bulky and will not provide the exact fit and protection as a custom-fitted mouthguard. Those are a tad cumbersome and don’t provide the fit a proper custom-fitted mouthguard would offer.
Custom-fitted Mouthguard
Custom-fitted mouthguards offer the highest level of fit, comfort, and protection. Your dentist at Fall River Admire Dental will take an impression of your teeth, and a technician will create a custom-fitted mouthguard designed to perfectly suit your dental structure. Custom-fitted guards cushion against falls and blows, providing the best defense for your teeth and jaws.
Custom-fitted Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinders are designed to cover all the teeth and can cushion against falls and blows to the chin. Some custom-made mouthguards have tough outer layers and cushiony inner linings for comfort against the teeth and gums. Some are acrylic, while others are semirigid, flexible, and made with materials for patients allergic to acrylics.
Because, like any other part of the body, the mouth undergoes periods of rapid growth, a dentist must assess the shape of a child’s or teen’s mouth before determining which kind of mouthguard is best. In addition, various sports present varying degrees of risk and likely trauma; your dentist can also help customize mouthguards to fit your specific activity or that of your child.
Cost, Care and Cleaning
Stock mouthguards typically range in cost from $1 to $15 and are available in sporting goods and drug stores. Mouth-formed guards are priced at approximately $2 to $30 and also are available at sporting goods and drug stores. Custom-fitted mouthguards cost between $190 and $500 and are available from a dentist. Most dental insurance plans generally do not cover the cost of mouthguards. Check with your dental insurance company to determine your level of coverage. Either way, a mouth guard is a good investment in your oral health.
For the healthiest results, consider these recommendations
- Brush and floss your teeth before wearing your mouthguard.
- Do not chew on your mouthguard, since this can distort its shape.
- Never throw the mouthguard in with dirty, sweaty gear.
- After each use, wash your mouthguard with soap and cool – not hot – water.
- Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash.
- Keep your mouth guard in a well-ventilated, plastic storage box when not in use.
- Avoid bending your mouthguard.
- Heat can damage a mouthguard; don’t leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle.
At Fall River Admire Dental, we are committed to helping you maintain your mouthguard and ensure it remains in top condition for as long as possible.