Types and Uses of Mouthguards

A mouthguard, also called a mouth protector, refers to a custom-fitted dental device that users wear over their teeth, either for athletic or recreational activities, to prevent their teeth from traumatic damage.
Dentists can also recommend mouthguards as therapy for disorders like bruxism, sleep apnea, and snoring. These are also called nightguards.
Therefore, mouthguards are different according to your specific needs. Keep reading to find the different types of mouth protectors and their uses.

Types of Mouthguards

You can get three types of mouthguards at our Harmony Dental Care office, namely:
Stock Mouthguard
These are the most commonly available and affordable mouthguards. You can get a stock mouthguard from your nearest dental office or sporting stores and drug stores.
Stock mouthguards are available in small, medium, or large sizes depending on the fit your mouth needs. Mostly, they are meant only for your upper jaw.
While they are cheap and easy to find, they have some downsides compared with other types. First, they are uncomfortable and do not provide a perfect fit since they are available in limited sizes. For this reason, they can prove hard to wear. Second, for some people, stock mouthguards can make it difficult to breathe or increase the gagging tendency.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguard

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are available in many drugstores, too but are relatively costly.
However, they do not come in limited sizes like stock mouth protectors but come in one size that the user customizes to fit their teeth. Fitting involves boiling the mouthguard to soften it, then placing them over the front teeth. You then bite down to create the desired shape.
If the fit is not comfortable, the mouthguard is reheated, then refitted since it’s made of an acrylic or rubber lining that assents the shape of your mouth. They provide a better fit than the stock type but do not offer maximum protection and the best fit, like a custom-fitted tooth guard.

Custom-Fitted Mouthguard

It’s a high-end bite guard custom-made by your dentist at the office. Your provider first collects a mold of your teeth then created a guard designed explicitly for your jaw and teeth.
This is a better option that provides a more comfortable fit than stock and boil-and-bite mouthguard. They are also do not accidentally dislodge, which makes them the best nightguards in Oshawa, ON.
People who snore, grind teeth, or have sleep apnea are the best candidates for custom-made guards. They are more costly than other types, but you are covered if you have a dental insurance plan.

Various Uses of Bite guards

Different types of mouthguards may look similar, but they all have different functions and uses.

Sports

A mouthguard can be used when playing high contact sports like rugby, football, soccer, field hockey, gymnastics and more, to prevent injuries that impact your face. In addition, it ensures that your lips and tongue are safe too. For sports, a stock mouthguard or boil-and-bite are excellent options.
A stock mouthguard is cheaper, therefore best if you only need occasional wear.

Teeth Grinding

Wearing a mouthguard when sleeping for people with bruxism creates a gap between the upper and lower teeth, reducing the pressure of clenching and tooth grinding.
A stock mouthguard can be uncomfortable and not fit well, which causes sleep disturbances. Boil-and-bite has a better fit but can get weak and brittle with time.
Use the boil-and-bite mouthguard for several nights and if it doesn’t help, talk to your dentist for a custom-made nightguard in Oshawa, ON.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder that causes someone to stop breathing mid-sleep. It causes oxygen deficiency in the brain and can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
Intense sleep apnea requires the patient to use a CPAP machine to aid in breathing at night. However, with mild sleep apnea, you can use a custom-made mouthguard that provides a similar effect.

Snoring

Mouthguards also effectively control snoring. They use a similar mechanism for sleep apnea, where they pull the lower jaw forward to keep the airways open. Many over-the-counter nightguards may claim to control snoring, but little research supports these claims.
Talk to your dentist about the best type of mouthguard if snoring affects your quality of life. Custom-fitted teeth nightguards are the best options here.