Mouthguards

Protect Your Smile with Mouthguards

Mouthguards are custom dental appliances that protect your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks from injury. They reduce the risk of broken teeth and soft tissue damage caused by sports accidents or teeth grinding, while also cushioning the jaw against impact. Most mouthguards fit over the upper teeth, providing comfort and reliable protection for your smile.

What Are the Various Types of Mouthguards?                    

There are two main types of mouthguards, each designed for different needs.

• Sports Mouthguards are made to protect your teeth during athletic activities by absorbing shocks and preventing injuries.
• Night Guards for Bruxism are created for patients who grind or clench their teeth while sleeping. These help prevent enamel wear, tooth fractures, and jaw discomfort.

At Austgen Family Dental in Greenwood, Dr. Holly Austgen provides custom mouthguards that fit securely and comfortably, offering far better protection than ready-made or store-bought options. A personalized mouthguard is an investment in both your oral health and your long-term comfort.

Customized mouthguards                                                                        

For this type of mouthguard, the dentist will first take an impression of your teeth to fabricate a customized mouthguard that fits comfortably on your teeth and mouth. The cost of customized mouthguards is considerably more than the ready-made ones, but they help provide the best fit and protection. A custom mouthguard will be made precisely for your needs, whether to offer protection from trauma during athletic competition or for use at night if you have a teeth-grinding habit. A customized mouthguard prepared by your dentist does the best job of protecting your teeth and mouth.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards                                                                        

These mouthguards are composed of a thermoplastic material that can be shaped at home to fit your teeth. The mouthguard has to be softened by placing it in hot water. The softened mouthguard should be put inside the mouth and pressed onto the molars and front teeth with your fingers. If you feel the mouthguard is in the correct position, you bite down for about 20 seconds. Then the device can be removed and rinsed in running cold water. These steps can be repeated to reshape the mouthguard for the best fit.Modifiable over-the-counter mouthguards: It includes sliding pieces that rest between your teeth while you sleep.

Ready-to-wear mouthguards                                                                        

These one-size-fits-all mouthguards are pre-fabricated and ready to wear. They rarely fit well since they are not made, especially for your teeth. Breathing can become difficult due to their bulkiness and poor fit. Among these mouthguards, the one that offers the least protection is the stock mouthguard.

What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Mouthguard?

The replacement and repairing of missing teeth can be a costly and painful situation. Thus wearing a mouthguard during athletic activities can help you avoid chipped or lost teeth, nerve damage to a tooth, or soft-tissue injuries to lips, gums, tongue, and inside cheeks.

At Austgen Family Dental, we are committed to providing top-quality dental care for patients of all ages. Call us today at (317) 885-6400 to learn more about mouthguards or schedule your appointment online.