The Importance Of Custom-Fitted Sports Mouthguards: Why One Size Does Not Fit All
People involved in sports, especially contact sports, get injured from time to time. Unfortunately, your teeth can also get damaged during sports. This is why the Fort Lee, NJ, dentist recommends wearing a mouth guard during sports. Mouth guards are also suitable for patients with teeth grinding and clenching problems that may cause damage to teeth. In this piece, our focus will be on sports mouthguards and why you should opt for a custom-fitted one.
What Is A Custom-Fitted Sports Mouthguard?
It is essential to note that there are various types of mouthguards. You can go to a store and buy a mouthguard or look for a dentist who installs mouthguards in Fort Lee, NJ, for a custom-fitted one. As the name indicates, a custom-fitted one is made uniquely for its owner.
During fabricating a custom-fitted mouthguard, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth. Depending on the dental clinic you visit, the dentist may use traditional trays filled with impression material or an intra-oral 3D scanner to take impressions of your teeth. The impressions are then taken to the dental lab for the creation of the mouthguard.
If you compete in high-impact sports like soccer and rugby, it would be best to opt for dual layer mouthguard with a hard insert. This type of mouthguard provides extra protection accompanied by shock absorption to protect your jaw and teeth.
On the other hand, if you’re involved in contact sports with moderate physical contact, then a dual-layer mouthguard will suit you.
What Are the Benefits Of Custom-Fitted Sports Mouthguards?
Before listing some of the benefits of a custom-fitted sports mouthguard, it is crucial to know what a high-quality mouthguard will do for you. Here is what to expect:
- It is more comfortable than a low-quality mouthguard.
- Protects your lower jaw from trauma and fractures.
- It prevents bruises and cuts when you fall.
- Protects the opposite teeth from contact with each other.
- Prevents tooth damage.
So, what are the benefits of going to the dentist who fixes mouthguards near you?
You get a proper fit- ready-to-use mouthguards utilize a one size fits all approach. Unfortunately, each person’s teeth, mouth, and jaw are different. But if you choose to go to a dental professional and have yours made, you will get a mouthguard that fits perfectly in your mouth. Moreover, a mouthguard that fits well ensures that all the soft tissues and teeth are protected.
They reduce dental emergencies- it is common to see people involved in contact sports wearing mouthguards. Why? Because these oral devices protect teeth and other soft tissues in the mouth from trauma. So, why not visit the dental clinic near you for a custom-fitted mouthguard to prevent more visits in the future due to tooth trauma?
Increased use and retention- when you get a comfortable mouthguard, you won’t mind wearing it whenever you’re involved in sports. However, if you opt for a mouthguard that doesn’t fit you well, you won’t see the reason for wearing it regularly. This puts your teeth in danger.
They cover all teeth and protect the jaw- store-bought mouthguards focus on the sale and not on your teeth. However, getting a custom-made mouthguard ensures that all your teeth are protected from trauma or injury. Furthermore, a custom-made mouthguard cushions your jaw perfectly, preventing fractures.
What Are the Cons Of Store Bought Sports Mouthguards
In order to understand the benefits of custom-made mouth protectors, it is vital to know the cons of store-bought sports mouthguards. Although they are less costly than custom-fitted ones, they have various disadvantages. Here are some of them:
- You can not adjust the fit.
- They stay in the mouth only when closed.
- They offer less protection than custom-fitted ones.
- They are bulky, making speech and breathing difficult.
Conclusion
Whatever choice you make, a reliable mouthguard should be tear-resistant, easy to clean, should not impede your speech or breathing, and should be comfortable. You will also have to take care of your mouthguard to get the most out of it. This entails washing it with cool soapy water, scrubbing it gently with a toothbrush, and rinsing it before and after use. Doing so is essential as a dirty mouthguard can be the start of oral problems. If you still need to decide if custom-fitted mouthguards are the right choice, feel free to visit So Good Dental. Our team of dental professionals will help you make the right choice.