Types of Mouthguards Used in Calgary, AB

When it comes to protecting your teeth, there should be no restrictions on the measures you take. This is why mouthguards exist in the first place. If anything, everyone should feel free to use mouth protectors, whether as a child or an adult. On most occasions, sportspersons get all the benefits from mouthguards, but so can you. Read on to learn everything about the different types of mouthguards and how they are used in dentistry.

What Are Mouthguards?

They are dental appliances used to protect the teeth and jawbone from the external impact that could damage them. You have probably heard of mouthguards before, but only regarding sports. Sportspersons wear mouthguards in Calgary, AB almost all the time, to guard their mouths from damage. This is especially common among people who are involved in high-contact sports like boxing, football, and rugby. At any point, an impact on your face can put a lot of pressure on your jawbone and teeth, knocking out a couple of teeth. To prevent this, mouthguards in Calgary are recommended during playtime.

Type Of Mouthguards

These mouthpieces come in different types, making them accessible to all people. The common types are:

• Stock mouth protectors – these are perhaps the most accessible mouthguards near you in SW Calgary. They are mouth protectors that are pre-made and availed at any local sporting stores around you. They are the most inexpensive of all the types of mouthpieces in dentistry.
• Boil and bite mouth protectors – unlike the Stock mouth protectors, these mouthguards can be adjusted to fit your teeth perfectly. They are also pre-made and readily available in local sports stores. They come in a thermoplastic material that allows them to conform properly to your teeth. To wear them, you have to place them in hot water to soften them. Once they are soft, place them on your teeth, and use your finger or mouth to fit them accordingly. For this reason, the boil and bite mouth protectors and much more comfortable than the stock mouth protectors.
• Custom-fitted mouth protectors – they are very different from the other types. For one, they are not pre-made. To get these mouthguards in Calgary, you would have to see your dentist. The dentist will then take the impressions of your teeth, and send them to a dental laboratory for the manufacture. This assures you of perfectly fitted mouth protectors.

How Do They Work?

Mouthguards create a layer of protection over your teeth, protecting them from trauma caused by external impact. An important part of designing mouthguards is comfort and perfect fit. Other than that, the material used to make mouthguards should not be choking or cause breathability problems. Ideally, mouthguards are designed to cover the upper teeth only, since they are more high-risk than the lower teeth. However special situations can dictate customizing a mouthguard that covers both your upper and lower jaw. This applies when you have oral appliances like braces or other devices placed on your lower jaw.

When Are Mouthguards Used?

The mouthpieces meant to protect your mouth can only do so much for you. It usually depends on the type of mouthguards you get. When it comes to customized mouth protectors, see real things can be accomplished. They are not just useful for protecting your teeth during sports. Dental experts can customize mouthguards to serve a different role other than protecting teeth from external impact. They can be used to treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that is characteristic of shortness of breath during sleep. To treat the disorder, a dentist will customize a mouthguard that will help keep your airway open by holding your jaw in a particular position as you sleep. Therefore, if you notice that you are snoring a lot at night, visit your dentist for possible customization of a mouth protector as a treatment alternative. Aside from sleep apnea, there is another oral problem that could merit the use of mouthguards. Bruxism is a condition where patients grind their teeth together. The effects of teeth grinding are not immediate, but rather take time. Some of the effects include dentin hypersensitivity, enamel thinning, jawbone problems, temporomandibular disorders, to mention a few. Among the various treatment options for teeth grinding is the use of mouthguards. A customized mouth protector will help keep your upper and lower jaw apart from each other, hence preventing grinding.