Custom mouthguards are essential to protect your teeth if you play contact sports. Mouthguards are also important if you grind your teeth at night. There are many over-the-counter options for mouthguards, but none fit and protect the way a custom one does. We offer custom guards as one of our general dentistry services. We custom-make each guard to fit your unique needs.
What to Expect: Custom Mouthguards in Marshall, TX
We take impressions in our office so that the lab can use them to custom-make your guard. They create it based on those impressions and return the result to our office. When it’s ready, we bring you in so that you can try on the guard and ensure it fits properly. If there are any needed adjustments, we’ll make them to ensure you get the perfect fit.
Custom Mouthguards Vs. Store-Bought
Custom mouthguards have many different benefits compared to what you can get in a drugstore. While certain over-the-counter guards claim to be customizable, they can only do so much when they have to appeal to a wide range of different people. Boil and bite mouthguards allow you to bite and form it to your teeth. However, it’s unlikely to be a secure fit, and you’ll have to clench your teeth to keep it in your mouth.
With an ill-fitting mouthguard, you have to constantly clench your teeth. This can make it difficult to focus on playing your game because you’re more focused on keeping the guard in your mouth. You also can’t communicate with your teammates unless you take the guard out. Otherwise, it would fall on the ground. The same is true for taking a quick drink of water between plays.
When you’re constantly clenching your teeth, it increases the likelihood of developing a TMJ disorder. It strains the jaw muscles constantly and impacts how the jaw joint functions because it slowly breaks down. You may experience popping and clicking noises, pain and tension throughout the head and face, and issues with how you can move your jaw. There may be certain positions you can’t do.
A custom mouthguard fits snugly enough to stay in the proper place without clenching your teeth. You don’t have to waste focus on keeping it in your mouth, allowing you to communicate freely with your team. This also means that you don’t have the increased risk of TMJ disorders that come with constant clenching.
Differences Between Sports Guards and Nightguards
If you already have a custom mouthguard, it’s tempting to use it for both instances. However, you should never use your guard for anything other than its intended use. You can damage your teeth and the guard if you use it for something it’s not designed for.
The main purpose of sports mouthguards is to absorb shock and protect your smile from impact trauma. It’s a light, bulky material to absorb those hits and distribute the pressure. If you try to use this to grind your teeth, you’ll eventually go through the material. You’ll no longer be able to use the guard for its actual purpose.
For a nightguard, its focus is preventing your teeth from grinding together. The material is harder, and the guard is thinner on your teeth. When you wear this for sports, it provides no trauma protection and can’t absorb shocks. It doesn’t provide much more protection than you not wearing a mouthguard at all.
Caring for Your Custom Mouthguard
It won’t protect your teeth properly if you don’t care for your mouthguard. Follow these tips to ensure it’s taken care of.
- Clean after each use: It is important to clean your mouthguard thoroughly after each use to remove any bacteria or debris that may have accumulated. Simply rinse the mouthguard with cool water and gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. Avoid using hot water or harsh chemicals, which can damage the mouthguard.
- Store properly: When not in use, store your custom mouthguard in a clean, dry container with ventilation holes to allow air circulation. Avoid storing it in direct sunlight or a hot car, as extreme temperatures can distort the shape of the mouthguard.
- Avoid chewing on the mouthguard: Some people have a habit of chewing on their mouthguard, which can cause it to become misshapen and less effective at protecting your teeth. Avoid this habit and only use your mouthguard for its intended purpose.
- Avoid biting down too hard: While wearing your mouthguard, try to avoid biting down too hard, as this can also distort its shape and reduce its effectiveness at protecting your teeth. Use gentle pressure when biting down on the mouthguard.
- Check for signs of wear and tear: Regularly inspect your custom mouthguard for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, tears, or rough edges. If you notice any damage, stop using the mouthguard immediately and consult your dentist for a replacement.
- Avoid sharing your mouthguard: Custom mouthguards are designed to fit the unique shape of your teeth and mouth, so it is important to avoid sharing them with others. Sharing mouthguards can increase the risk of spreading bacteria and infections.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Regular dental check-ups are important for maintaining good oral health and ensuring your custom mouthguard’s proper fit and function. Your dentist can assess the condition of your mouthguard and make any necessary adjustments or replacements.
- Replace when necessary: Custom mouthguards are designed to last for a certain period of time, typically a few years. If your mouthguard becomes worn out or no longer fits properly, it is important to replace it to ensure the continued protection of your teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
Experience the difference a custom mouthguard can make. Call us or schedule an appointment online.