A Mouth Guard Is an Appliance with Multiple Uses

Contrary to the popular belief that a mouthguard can only be used by athletes involved in recreational activities and organized sports a mouth guard is useful in many other ways. The dentist in Bayport, NY, recommends mouth guards to their patients according to their needs. The type of mouthguard preferred by the individual will depend on the reason why he or she is considering using it.

Discussing why they are considering a mouthguard with the dentist in Bayport, NY, will be a better option because people will get the advice they need about the type of mouthguard they should be wearing. They will even receive help to obtain a customized mouthguard preventing them from shopping around for commonly available stock mouthguards. Let us consider some of the popular reasons why people are considering wearing a mouthguard.

Athletes Need Mouthguards As Part of Their Athletic Gear

Athletes involved in contact sports such as football, basketball, ice hockey, soccer, and others are at risk of falling and injuring their mouths. A mouthguard will help them to protect their teeth and to prevent injuries to their lips and tongue.

A stock mouthguard or the boil and bite variety will be a good choice for athletes playing any of the sports mentioned above. Stock mouthguards are inexpensive and may be a good option if they’re being used only occasionally. On the other hand, the boil and bite mouthguard will be a better option because they fit better and stay in place, unlike stock mouthguards which can shift their position. While being slightly expensive the boil and bite mouth guards offer better protection for those involved in high-impact sports.

Mouth Guard for Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition where people clench and grind their teeth when sleeping. This is a sleep-related movement disorder with the potential to cause many problems. Some of the common problems reported by people with bruxism are jaw pain, tooth pain, and sore gums. The problem can also damage the teeth. Wearing a mouth guard for teeth grinding when sleeping can keep the upper and lower teeth separated to ensure they don’t damage each other from the pressures of grinding and clenching.

Sleep Apnea Can Also Be Treated with a Mouth Guard

One in five Americans suffers from the problem of sleep apnea which disrupts their sleep and that of their partners. Sleep apnea is a problem that causes people to snore loudly and to temporarily stop breathing when they are asleep. The problem prevents the brain from receiving the oxygen it needs and enhances the risks of heart disease and strokes. It can also leave the individual feeling groggy the next day because of the intense snoring that would have disrupted their sleep.

Many people affected by this problem are using the CPAP therapy which helps to keep the airways open when sleeping. However, people with mild conditions of sleep apnea will find custom-made sleep mouth guards suitable for themselves. The sleep mouth guard pushes the lower jaw forward with the tongue to keep the airway open. People with the problem of sleep apnea will not receive help from the stock variety of the boil and bite mouthguard. They will have to contact a dentist certified in dental sleep medicine to have a customized mouth guard developed for themselves.

Treatment for TMJ Disorders

People with disorders of the temporomandibular joint which is caused by an injury to the jaw, bruxism, misalignment of the teeth and jaw, stress, arthritis, and gum chewing can also find relief from a mouth guard for TMJ disorders. Problems with TMJ disorders generally disappear by themselves but helping the problem to disappear faster than normal will leave the individual with comfort rather than the pain associated with this condition.

As can be seen, a mouthguard is not just an appliance for sportspersons. It can also be used by people suffering from the problem of sleep apnea, bruxism, and TMJ disorders and has a variety of use cases for every individual.

How to Care for a Customized Mouthguard?

The following steps are suggested to get the most out of your mouthguard.

• Before putting on your mouthguard brush and floss your teeth.
• Rinse the mouthguard with cool water or mouthwash before wearing it and after removing it as well.
• A toothbrush and toothpaste can be used to clean the mouthguard.
• Take the mouthguard to the dentist every time a scheduled appointment is being attended. They will ensure it fits properly and works well.
• Store the mouthguard in a hard container with ventilation for protection and to allow it to dry out before being used again.

A mouthguard will not last forever and therefore should be replaced as soon as signs of wear and tear are noticed if the customized variety is being used. Stock mouthguards and boil and bite mouthguards will need replacements frequently.