Mouth Guard
Mouth Guard
Mouthguards help protect your teeth, gums, cheek muscles and jaw joints from damage or injuries from grinding/clenching your teeth, or indulging in contact sports. Anyone can need a mouthguard, and people of all ages can wear one. Mouthguards are transparent, flexible and soft, and act as a cushion to protect your teeth, and can easily snap on and off as required.
Our expert dentists at SmileMint Studio will recommend a mouth guard after examining your teeth. There are three indications for which mouth guards can be recommended-
- To protect against heavy bite forces of grinding and clenching
- To protect in case of contact sports – this is called a sports guard
- To protect the newly aligned bite in case of braces or aligner therapy – this is called a retainer.
The mouthguards made by our dentists provide the best fit and protection and are made from the highest quality materials.
Types of mouth guard available in the market
Stock Mouthguards:
These mouthguards are one size fits all. They aren’t made to custom-fit your mouth and rarely fit well. They are bulky, and their poor fit can make breathing difficult. Among all types of mouthguards, these offer the least protection. Using a stock mouthguard may also exacerbate TMJ issues, so discontinue in case of persisting or worsening symptoms, and contact your dentist immediately.
Boil and bite:
These devices are made from thermoplastic, allowing you to shape them at home to fit your teeth. You soften the mouthguard by placing it in hot water and then use your fingers to press it on your molars and the front teeth. Then you bite down for 20 seconds after you have placed it in the right position. Remove the mouthguard and run it under cold water. Repeat these steps to get the best fit.
While they offer better protection than the stock mouthguards, these are generally bulky and tedious to use
Custom Fitted:
These mouthguards are customised to your individual bite and the thickness of the guard is designed bearing in mind your particular symptoms. Your bite, muscles and joint is analysed by our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and a template of the requirement is created. An impression or a scan of your teeth is used to design a custom-fitted mouthguard that comfortably fits your teeth and mouth, providing maximum protection. It is designed based on your needs, either for protection from trauma or from grinding your teeth at night.
Our mouthguards are made of medical grade, BPA-free silicone, providing the highest quality fit and protection.
What benefits does a mouthguard provide?
Replacing or repairing missing teeth is a costly affair, and you suffer a lot of pain when you lose your natural teeth due to an accident or injury. Wearing a mouthguard helps you avoid:
- Chipped or teeth loss
- Soft tissue damage to the inside of your cheeks, lips, gums, muscles and jaw joint
- Nerve damage to the teeth due to chronic wear and tear of the teeth
- Protection of the jaw joint from overload and prevention of cheek mucle cramping and spasm
- In certain cases, it provides relief from headaches, earaches and vertigo, when these are caused by TMD. To learn more about TMD click here.
Can mouthguards protect your dental implants and bridges?
Yes. Custom-fitted mouthguards can certainly protect your dental implants and bridges. Not only that, but they can also protect your braces from any damage. Custom-fitted mouthguards work the best in these situations, and our dentists provide just that. They are designed to fit the unique shape of your braces or implants.
How to care for your mouthguard?
Mouthguards usually pick up the bacteria from your mouth. So, ensure you clean your teeth before putting them into your mouth. To clean the mouthguard:
- Rinse the mouthguard in cool water, use a brush and soap to clean it after every use, and air dry it.
- Don’t expose the device to extreme heat, like direct sunlight or hot water, as heat can warp its shape.
- Keep the mouthguard in a vented, sturdy plastic case when not in use or when traveling.
- Keep them out of reach of children and pets.
What to expect?
Mouthguards are a great way to protect your mouth, implants/braces, and bridges from any kind of injury, accident, or involuntary teeth grinding. Custom-designed mouthguards give you the best protection and fit.
To get a mouthguard that safeguards your mouth, walk into our clinic, where our proficient dentists will thoroughly examine your mouth and design a custom-fitted mouthguard based on your requirements.
Book an appointment at SmileMint Studio today to get the best oral protection.
FAQ's
You need to change your mouthguard after the sports season has ended. We recommend changing your mouthguard every six months or sooner if it has been deformed.
You need to ensure that your mouthguard doesn't dry up. When traveling, you can also wrap it in a wet paper towel or a storage case.
Mouth Guards are supposed to safeguard your teeth and gums. But when used incorrectly, it will damage your teeth. Dirty and ill-fitting mouthguards, too, are known to damage the teeth.
You need to clean your mouthguard daily. Rinse it with warm water every morning and use a toothbrush to scrub away the plaque or saliva. Deep clean your mouth guard every week by soaking it in a mixture of water and vinegar.
Yes, absolutely! Your children are advised to wear mouthguards while playing sports as mouthguards are designed for children as well, and it protects their teeth from harm and injury.
1. When Should I replace my mouthguard?
You need to change your mouthguard after the sports season has ended. We recommend changing your mouthguard every six months or sooner if it has been deformed.
2. Should I keep my mouthguard in water when not in use?
You need to ensure that your mouthguard doesn’t dry up. When traveling, you can also wrap it in a wet paper towel or a storage case.
3. Can mouthguards damage my teeth?
Mouth Guards are supposed to safeguard your teeth and gums. But when used incorrectly, it will damage your teeth. Dirty and ill-fitting mouthguards, too, are known to damage the teeth.
4. How often should I clean my mouthguard?
You need to clean your mouthguard daily. Rinse it with warm water every morning and use a toothbrush to scrub away the plaque or saliva. Deep clean your mouth guard every week by soaking it in a mixture of water and vinegar.
5. Should my children wear mouthguards while playing sports?
Yes, absolutely! Your children are advised to wear mouthguards while playing sports as mouthguards are designed for children as well, and it protects their teeth from harm and injury.
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