Mouthguards
in Yokine

A mouthguard is an oral device worn over the teeth at night while sleeping. This guard protects your teeth by serving as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth. When you clench your jaw at night, the mouthguard forces this tightening to loosen and prevents grinding. Additionally, it reduces facial and jaw pain by stopping your jaw from clenching during the night.

Similarly, mouthguards are very useful for athletes who play contact sports and are worn over their upper teeth. The mouth guard forms a protective layer between your teeth and the point of impact. This will prevent your tooth from being knocked out if you are tackled on the football field or punched in the boxing ring. In addition, the patient should be able to talk and breathe comfortably with their mouthguard on.

Mouthguards offer protection for your teeth and can help you avoid costly dental work down the road. Take a look at the top benefits a mouthguard can offer you:

• Protects your teeth from damage
• It decreases jaw tension and pain
• Helps prevent headaches
• Supports healthy sleep patterns
• Reduces snoring

A mouthguard is an excellent way to protect your oral health. While there are different types of mouthguards, a custom mouthguard fitted to your teeth is the most comfortable and practical. At Clear Choice Dental, we are happy to offer our patients customised mouth guards that help prevent damage caused by grinding and clenching or provide protection during physical activity.

If you are wondering whether you should wear a mouthguard, they are generally most beneficial in the following situations:

Bruxism

Many people experience grinding and clenching of their teeth, especially at night. In the worst cases, teeth can wear down the enamel, resulting in severe discomfort. A mouth guard prevents grinding by separating your top and bottom teeth. As a result, clenching muscles are relaxed, preventing jaw problems from developing and relieving any existing jaw pain.

Sleep apnea and snoring

A specific mouthguard helps with snoring and sleep apnea as it pushes the lower jaw forward and opens up your airways. If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, a mouthguard may be a great way to help you get better sleep.

Engaging in physical activity

If you play sports or participate in other physically challenging activities, wearing a mouthguard can protect your mouth, teeth, and jaw from injuries. Athletes often suffer dental injuries, which are painful and expensive to handle. Any athlete who plays contact sports like soccer, wrestling, basketball, lacrosse, football, etc., can benefit from wearing a mouth guard to prevent such injuries. You can use a mouthguard to protect your mouth in any situation where it may need extra protection.

Wearing a mouthguard is a great way to protect your teeth from damage. Whether you’re playing a sport, grinding your teeth, or just want to be extra careful, mouthguards can help reduce the risk of chips, cracks, and other dental problems. If you have a custom-fitted mouthguard, you can wear it for as long as you need. Just be sure to clean your mouthguard regularly and talk to your dentist if you have any concerns. With proper care, a mouthguard can be a great way to keep your smile healthy by protecting your teeth.

To keep bacteria from growing on your mouthguard, we recommend cleaning it. Here are some tips on how to keep your mouthguard clean: You can clean your mouthguard in a number of ways with household items, including:

Non-abrasive toothpaste and toothbrushes

Your mouthguard can be cleaned with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Make sure you have a separate toothbrush for this purpose to help prevent cross-contamination.

Brushes with hard bristles and abrasive toothpaste should be avoided to prevent damage to your mouthguard.

• After you remove the mouthguard, rinse it with cool water.
• Apply a small amount of toothpaste to your mouthguard.
• With a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently scrub the mouthguard.
• After thoroughly rinsing with cool water, let it dry.
• Place the mouth guard in a firm, perforated container. This ensures maximum ventilation and prevents damage.
• If the mouthguard is made of acrylic, it should be kept in freshwater.

Mild soap and water

Another option is to use soap and water. It would be best to only use a gentle, alcohol-free soap on your mouthguard to avoid damaging it.

• After wearing your mouthguard, rinse it with cool water.
• Apply some soap to your mouthguard.
• Gently scrub the mouthguard with a toothbrush until it is soapy.
• To remove the suds, rinse the mouthguard thoroughly.
• Allow the mouthguard to air dry.

Mouthwash

The antibacterial properties of mouthwash make it perfect for cleaning your mouthguard. Do not use alcohol-based mouthwash to avoid damaging it.

Baking soda

Baking soda can also be used to remove debris and eliminate unpleasant odours.

• Prepare a paste by combining baking soda and water equally.
• Gently brush the mouthguard with the toothbrush after dipping it in the paste.
• Rinse them with cool water.
• Allow the mouthguard to dry.

Keep an eye for signs of wear on your mouthguard. Get in touch with your dentist if you notice any holes, fractures, or loosening.

Mouthguards are essential equipment for athletes or people suffering from bruxism, protecting the teeth, lips, and gums. However, even the best-made mouthguard will eventually need to be replaced. The lifespan of a mouthguard depends on several factors, including how often it is used, how well it is cared for, and the type of material it is made from. 

In general, most custom mouthguards will last for around six months to a year before needing to be replaced. With proper care and storage, some mouthguards may last even longer. So if you’re looking for a new mouthguard, be sure to look for one that will provide long-lasting protection.

Listed below are the similarities and differences between custom-made and over-the-counter mouth guards to help you decide which is right for you.

Protection measures

You can benefit from the maximum level of safety and comfort of custom mouthguards since they are precisely made. Over-the-counter mouthguards are unlikely to provide this level of protection. Any mouthguard cannot compare to the level of protection provided by custom-fitted mouthguards. Their durability is increased by the snug design, which hugs each tooth securely and prevents unnecessary movement. Custom-fit mouthguards can be made thicker to reduce pressure on the jaw for those who grind, clench, or gnash their teeth violently at night.

Efficiency and comfort

Over-the-counter mouthguards purchased from a pharmacy or sports goods store are less effective and uncomfortable. Comfort is an essential factor to consider since incorrectly shaped or fitted mouthguards may cause complications or dental problems. Such complications can lead to costly dental treatments. The improper placement of mouth guards could negatively affect growth and development in the long run.

On the other hand, a custom-fitted mouthguard is more likely to stay in place since it is specifically designed to fit and match your mouth. With a customised fit, wearing a mouth guard will be more comfortable, and you won’t feel discomfort while participating in your favourite sport.

Durability

A custom-fit mouthguard is incredibly durable, and unlike store-bought mouthguards, it does not lose its shape over time. Depending upon how often the mouthguard has worn out and whether or not the wearer’s mouth or teeth have changed, custom mouthguards may need to be replaced every few years.

The price and the expenses

Since you can purchase over-the-counter mouthguards at almost any pharmacy, drugstore, or online retailer, they are less expensive. On the other hand, custom mouthguards are tailored to each mouth based on what you intend to use them for, how much material is needed, and other requirements your may require. Since custom mouthguards fit snugly in your mouth, they are a cost-effective way to manage bruxism.

The cost of a dental mouth guard is determined by its material and the type of mouthguard. A personalised mouthguard costs more than your standard over-the-counter mouthguard because it is customised. This reduces the likelihood that you will experience severe injuries and require pricey dental treatment.

The dentist will be able to give you an exact quote for your custom mouthguard during your dental check-up, although the average price for an adult mouthguard is between $125 and $300. On the other hand, children’s sports mouthguards cost between $80 and $100. However, the costs mentioned are only an estimate, and it’s always best to visit our dental clinic to get more accurate information.

At Clear Choice Dental, we offer a variety of payment plans to break down the cost of a mouth guard into manageable monthly payments.