If you play sports, you’re going to want to use a mouthguard because it will protect your teeth from getting knocked out, chipped, or cracked. This is especially important for high impact sports like football, baseball, basketball, and many others. Just remember that not all mouthguards are going to be the same. There’s some big differences and Harmony Dental Care in Oshawa, ON can help you figure out which is best for you or your child.
Over-the-Counter Mouthguards
If you get an over-the-counter mouthguard from your local sporting store or pharmacy, you’re looking at two different options. There are stock mouthguards, and there are bite and boil mouth protectors. The stock mouthguard is the first, and it’s a one-size-fits-all option. Because it is created to fit into anyone’s mouth, it is not a great fit and can often be uncomfortable to wear and making talking and even breathing more of a chore. The bite and boil option are a little bit better because you heat it up in water first, and then bite down. This allows for a small amount of customization, but you’re still not getting the full amount of protection available.
Custom Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards are considered the best option by Harmony Dental Care because they are made to fit into your mouth and therefore will provide the best protection.
When creating your custom guard, we will first take impressions of your teeth. Then the impression is sent to a dental lab where the custom mouthguard is created out of layered plastic. You’ll return to Harmony Dental Care to pick it up once it’s ready.
Personalizing Your Mouthguard
Your mouthguard will be created with just the right amount of thickness depending on a few factors such as the sport you’ll be playing. We can also help you decide if you want a mouthguard for the top of your mouth or for both your upper and lower teeth.
How Long Do Mouthguards Last?
The mouthguards we create are extremely resilient and will keep their shape for many years. Of course, the lifespan will be determined by a few factors, such as the sport you play and whether or not you receive dental treatment that changes your mouth. Children will need to have mouthguards refitted more often because their mouths and teeth are growing and changing. Bring your mouthguard to each dental checkup.
