There are a lot of benefits to using a mouth guard, and there are different types of mouth guards as well. While everyone who plays contact sports knows that a mouthpiece can help prevent injury, those are generally not fitted specifically for you. For anyone who grinds their teeth or who has had to deal with microfractures on their teeth, custom mouth guards are a great option.

Who Needs a Mouth Guard?

Some medication can cause bruxism (grinding of the teeth), and some people naturally do it in their sleep. Others might have dental work they need to protect, and others simply want to avoid any continued damage while they engage in physical activity. No matter what your situation, if you’re dealing with potential damage to your oral health, then a mouth guard can help. If you’re seeing the shape of your teeth change or the flattening of your bottom teeth while using a mouth guard, however, you should seek help from a professional dentist.

Stock Mouth Protectors

One type of mouth guard that you don’t necessarily need to visit a dentist for is a stock mouth protector, which is generally the least fitted. In a dental setting, stock mouth protectors are mainly used temporarily and are not the type dentists would recommend to use when treating conditions. The most common type used in contact sports is the boil and bite mouth guard, which is definitely recommended for contact sports and for anything that puts stress on your teeth outside of sleep.

Stock mouth protectors are great for people who clench their teeth during lifting or anyone who boxes, plays contact sports or more. While they are not recommended for treating bruxism, it is still important that you make sure you wear something when you put your teeth at risk, especially if you have dealt with microfractures or damage to your teeth before from contact.

Custom-Fitted Mouthguards

The best kind of mouth guard, however, is going to be a custom-fitted mouth protector. While there are some custom-fitted retainers that are similar to these mouth guards, those are not used for stopping bruxism. These custom mouth guards can make sure that you are not using something that fits poorly. A poorly fitted mouth guard can actually cause you to have an overbite, change the straightness of your teeth, and more. This is why it is so important to get one from a dentist that you trust to make sure it fits properly.

Benefits of a Custom-Fitted Mouth Guard

One of the main benefits of a custom-fitted mouth guard, of course, is that it prevents any damage to your teeth. It can also protect any implants that you have, potentially saving a lot of money since implants can be expensive to repair regularly. A proper mouth guard will allow you to speak properly while wearing it and should not hinder your speech quality at all (unlike the traditional boil and bite mouth guards). They should also fit perfectly, not have any kind of taste or odd consistency, and be durable enough to last over the long haul.

Additionally, custom-fitted mouth guards should also improve your quality of sleep. Bruxism can cause you to wake up both from the movement and the pain associated with the movement. This can also help prevent jaw pain, which tends to be the first type of pain that tells you that you are suffering from bruxism. A quality mouth guard will let you wake up feeling refreshed and free of any jaw or tooth pain.

If you tend to clench your teeth, suffer from bruxism, or often put your teeth in harm’s way through physical activity, then a custom-fitted mouth guard may be a great way to improve both your oral health and your overall quality of life. Consult with your dentist to see if this option can help you.

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