Mouthguards are a great way to protect your teeth while you engage in the activities that you love. With options for boil-and-bite mouthguards, stock mouthguards, and custom-made mouthguards, understanding what kind of protection mouthguards provide and what type of protection you need can be difficult. Our team at Regency Square Dental is here to help! We have compiled a list of common myths about mouthguards to help you better understand what you should be looking for in a mouthguard.
#1 You Only Need Mouthguards for Contact Sports
This is a common misconception. In reality, soccer and basketball are the sports that most commonly result in oral-facial injuries.
Contact to the mouth and face isn’t allowed in most sports that involve physical contact. However, in all sports, elbows and knees can go flying, as well as basketballs and soccer balls, and have been known to cause serious injury. Fortunately, mouthguards near you are available as a great way to protect your teeth from being damaged due to the collision of your upper and lower jaw.
Furthermore, many individuals struggle with a condition known as bruxism, which is characterized by the unconscious clenching and grinding of teeth, especially during sleep. Individuals who clench and grind their teeth can also benefit greatly from mouthguards, as they provide a barrier between upper and lower teeth and prevent them touching during the night.
#2 Mouthguards Are Not Protective Unless They Cover All Molars
When your mouthguard fully covers all your molars, it will only make you uncomfortable and trigger your gag reflex. Mouthguards are designed to protect the areas of your mouth that are most vulnerable, called impact zones. Impact zones are the areas in front of your teeth and under your molars.
A good mouthguard should have thick material in the impact zones; these mouthguards should be thinner in areas where little to no protection is needed, such as behind the back of front teeth or the roof of the mouth.
#3 “Custom” Means That You Can Personalize Your Mouthguard
While some custom mouthguards allow you to personalize them with your name or team colors, these options are also available with boil-and-bite mouthguards that can be bought at a store.
Custom mouthguards are made using an impression or scan that is taken by your dentist in Davie. This is the only way to make a mouthguard specific to your mouth’s structure and provide optimal protection and comfort.
#4 Custom Mouthguards Cannot Be Used with Braces
Individuals with braces often fret about using mouthguards or not, especially if they regularly participate in sports. Luckily, custom mouthguards can be built specifically for individual athletes using an impression of their mouth. Getting a mouthguard while you have braces is an excellent way to protect your smile.
If you play sports, speak to a dentist near you about getting a custom mouthguard that will accommodate your braces. While creating your mouthguard, your dental team will be able to make adjustments and create space for your braces based on your specific needs.
Looking for Mouthguards in Davie?
Some of the myths stated above are not far-fetched and do contain some half-truths. If you are looking into mouthguard, the best thing you can do is speak to a dentist about getting a custom mouthguard. At Regency Square Dental, we offer custom mouthguards to our patients so that they can continue to play the sports they love while protecting their oral health. Please contact our clinic today to book a consultation!