A mouthguard is a device that your dentist can recommend you wear if you clench or grit when sleeping or play contact sports. Other than preventing injuries and impact-related dental issues, mouthguards can help prevent obstructive sleep apnea and the loud snoring at night.
Not all mouthguards are the same. Therefore, there are three types of mouthguards you can choose to wear. In this blog, we highlight the types of mouthguards and the one fit for your dental needs.
Types of Mouthguards
The following are the common types of mouthguards:
Stock Mouthguards
If you are looking for a widely available and affordable type of mouthguard, you can consider stock mouthguards. You can find stock mouthguards in most drug stores and sports houses near you.
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Stock mouthguards come in three different sizes: small, medium, large, and covers only the top of your teeth.
Although stock mouthguards are cheap and readily available, they have some demerits. Since the stock mouthguards have limited size options, they might not provide a tight fit or make you feel uncomfortable while wearing them.
Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards
Just like stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite ones are available in drug stores and sports houses and are relatively cheap.
However, boil-and-bite come in one size. You can then boil the mouthguard and customize your fit. When you need to wear the mouthguard, you can place it in hot or warm water. The hot water softens the mouthguard. When the boil-and-bite mouthguard is soft, you can place it over your teeth and bite it down to customize the fit.
To get the best results out of a boil and bite mouthguard, you should consider following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Custom-Made Mouthguards
When you seek mouthguards near you, your dentist can make a custom mouth device for you. Your dentist will take a mold of your teeth and use it to create custom-made mouthguards for you.
A custom-made provides a better fit and covers the whole teeth and gums. Since custom-made mouthguards fit perfectly, they provide comfort and are not easy to dislodge during sleep. Custom-made mouthguards are relatively expensive. However, most dental insurance plans cover them as part of preventive dental care.
What Type of Mouthguard Is Best for Me?
The effectiveness of a mouthguard depends on what you use them for. Therefore, each type of mouthguard is suitable for you, depending on your dental needs.
Sports
If you play contact sports such as basketball, hockey, ice hockey, soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby, and boxing, you might need to wear a mouthguard to prevent dental injuries due to impact.
Apart from protecting your teeth, a sports mouthguard can prevent injuries on your tongue and lips. In most cases, a stock or a boil-and-bite mouthguard would be the best type of mouthguard if you play contact sports. If you are participating in intense contact sports, you can consider wearing a boil-and-bite mouthguard since it provides comfort.
Clenching and Gritting Teeth
If you grit or clench your teeth, your dentist might recommend mouthguards to protect the teeth from wear and tear. By protecting wear and tear on the teeth, you reduce the need for a root canal treatment.
If you seek bruxism treatments, your dentist might recommend custom-made mouthguards in San Antonio, TX. When you wear a mouthguard during sleep, they keep your teeth separated, reducing the pressure that causes damage to your teeth. During sleep, custom-made mouthguards provide comfort and don’t dislodge easily.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
If you experience sleep apneas or snore while sleeping, your dentist might recommend oral devices such as mouthguards. People with severe sleep apnea, they might require a CPAP machine to keep your air open. In case you experience mild signs of sleep apnea and snoring, a mouthguard would be helpful.
Your sleep apnea mouthguard doesn’t only cover your teeth but pushes your lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping the airway open. If you seek a mouthguard for sleep apnea and snoring, the dentist will recommend a custom-made one.
Mouthguards Near You?
Do you need mouthguards in San Antonio? If so, you can visit us at Terell Hills Dental for protective mouthguards. Our dentist will guide you on choosing the right mouthguard for you, guaranteeing your comfort and a perfect fit.
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