Mouthguards: An Overview
Dr. Grigoryan fits custom mouthguards for patients of all ages at our Laurel, MD office – from young athletes starting a new sport to adults dealing with nighttime teeth grinding. While only a few sports like football and hockey technically require mouthguards, the American Dental Association recommends wearing one for most contact sports and high-impact exercise.
While sports and exercise are very important for a healthy lifestyle, they are responsible for many injuries to the mouth, including chipped or cracked teeth, knocked out teeth, tooth root damage, and more. Simply wearing a mouthguard could save you thousands of dollars in dental care.
At Laurel Smiles Dental Care, we fit two distinct types of guards: sports mouthguards to protect your teeth on the field, and nightguards for patients managing teeth grinding or mild sleep apnea symptoms. Dr. Grigoryan will recommend the right option based on your specific needs during a quick fitting appointment.
CUSTOM MOUTHGUARDS IN LAUREL, MD
Our mouthguards are custom made to fit perfectly in your mouth. Patients love this custom fit because they are comfortable and offer the best protection. It is also possible to choose which color you want. This makes it fun to match uniforms and encourages consistent use. There are many benefits to choosing this type of specialized mouth guard including:
- Better protection of the teeth
- More comfortable
- Personalized fit
At our Cherry Lane Ct office, most patients complete the impression appointment in under 20 minutes, with the finished guard ready for a fitting visit about two weeks later.
Custom mouthguards carry many benefits compared to over-the-counter options. Store-bought mouthguards are one size fits all, but they dont truly fit anyone properly. Typically, you have to clench your teeth to make sure the mouthguard stays in your mouth. You arent able to communicate with your teammates and you’re not able to get a quick water break in between plays without taking your mouthguard out.
When youre constantly clenching your jaw, the joint starts to degrade. It causes pain that can spread throughout your jaw, face, and neck. You may notice that you have trouble opening and closing your mouth or that your jaw pops and clicks when you do. These store-bought mouthguards can lead to these symptoms and to a disorder called TMJ.
A custom mouthguard fits snugly to your teeth. Its comfortable but tight enough that you dont have to do anything to make sure it stays in place. You can speak and talk with it in, as well as drink water. Since you dont need to clench your teeth for it to stay in, you dont have to worry about the consequences that come with clenching your jaw.
SPORTS MOUTHGUARD VS. NIGHTGUARD
You cannot use a sports mouthguard and night mouthguard for the same function. Each kind will perform a specific function. Sports mouthguards are bulkier and lighter. The material will absorb hard impacts. Night guard for teeth is made of a thinner plastic material that repositions your jaw and prevents your teeth from grinding together. They cannot withstand impacts. Using them for other purposes can damage both your teeth and the mouthguard.