Do you or your child play contact sports? Are you looking for a new mouthguard for the upcoming season?
Receive a custom sports mouthguard at the Office of Dr. Bellisario in Ardmore, PA. This general dental treatment protects braces and natural teeth from damage and loss. Patients require mouthguards for any sport with contact between players, including lacrosse, soccer, football, and hockey.
Getting a Custom Mouthguard in Ardmore, PA
To create a custom fit, we take dental impressions of the teeth. We send these impressions to a dental lab, where technicians create the sports mouthguards according to our specifications. Once the mouthguard is complete, we will ensure it fits you comfortably.
Custom mouthguards are a much better option than the store-bought variety. No drugstore mouthguard can be truly customized, even though things like boil and bite mouthguards are advertised as such. They make products to appeal to the greatest variety of people, so it’s rare that you’ll find one that will fit you as well as a custom one can.
With a store-bought mouthguard, you often have to clench your teeth so that it stays in your mouth. You can’t communicate with your teammates or get a quick drink of water without taking your mouthguard out. It’s hard to keep your head in the game when you have to worry about putting a mouthguard in and out or clenching your teeth so the guard stays in.
Frequent teeth clenching can also start to cause TMJ disorders. It puts extra pressure on your jaw joint and the muscles around them. The jaw joint breaks down, and you experience symptoms that worsen without treatment. These include popping and clicking of your jaw, pain and tension throughout the head and face, and an inability to move your jaw in certain ways.
A custom mouthguard fits your smile exactly. It’s snug enough to your teeth to speak freely and drink water without worrying about taking the guard out. You also don’t have to clench your teeth to keep the guard in because it’s uniquely made for your smile.
Why Can’t Mouthguards Treat TMJ Disorders?
Nightguards are one of the best treatment options for patients with TMJ disorders. A nightguard covers the upper or lower arch of teeth and prevents teeth clenching and grinding. Although nightguards are similar to mouthguards, they are not the same. Nightguards are made of hard acrylic and protect the chewing surfaces of the teeth from wear and damage. Alternatively, sports mouthguards protect the front of the teeth. Our sports mouthguards are made of flexible, rubbery plastic.
Sports mouthguards work because they absorb shock and hits to the face. Nightguards fit close to the teeth and aren’t as bulky. They won’t be able to protect your teeth from any direct trauma caused by hits. Conversely, if you tried to wear a sports mouthguard as a nightguard, you would start to wear away at the material. It could lead to harm to both your teeth and the mouthguard.
Caring for Your Custom Mouthguard
Your mouthguard can only protect your teeth properly if you take good care of it. When you remove the mouthguard, rinse it with cool water to remove saliva and debris. After you wear it each evening, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild soap or non-abrasive toothpaste to thoroughly clean it. This removes odor-causing bacteria and other bacteria that can make you severely sick. Leave the guard out to air dry.
Never use harsh chemicals or cleaners to clean your mouthguard, as it can damage the material. It isn’t made to hold up to things like this, and it can harm your oral health as well. If you need a more thorough clean, there are gentle cleansers and sanitizing soaks that you can use.
Store the mouthguard properly when you aren’t wearing it. Always store it in its ventilated case to keep it safe and protect it from damage. The ventilation ensures proper airflow, as bacteria thrive in a warm, wet environment. Make sure the guard is dry when you put it in the case, as mold can form. Never store the case or the guard in direct sunlight or extremely hot environments because this can warp the material.
Regularly inspect your mouthguard for any signs of wear and tear. Call our office if you see any cracks or notice the fit changed. We may need to repair or replace it so that it continues to protect your teeth properly. If you use a damaged mouthguard, it puts the safety of your teeth at risk. Wear and tear can occur in different timeframes, depending on how you use the mouthguard. Don’t bite down and move it around while wearing it, as this increases the damage rate.
Receive a Mouthguard Today
Do you need a sports mouthguard? Schedule a dental appointment with our professional team online. You can also call our office at (610) 839-8967. We welcome patients of all ages to our Ardmore office. If you have questions about caring for your mouthguard, please let us know, and we can help.