Mouthguards aren’t just for athletes. Although mouthguards are necessary to protect teeth during contact sports such as football, hockey, and boxing, mouthguards are also important for people who suffer from teeth grinding (also called bruxism).
When it comes to mouthguards, you have a couple different options for protecting your smile: a generic store-bought mouthguard or a custom mouthguard made specifically for your unique smile by your dentist. Here’s why a custom mouthguard is the winner every time.
Get Maximum Protection for Your Smile by Going Custom
Although store-bought mouthguards offer some protection against sports impacts and bruxism, they don’t protect your teeth the way custom mouthguards do. When you invest in a mouthguard made for your particular bite and teeth, you have a higher level of protection against dental injuries [1].
Store-bought mouthguards tend to be too large for many people, and their bulkiness can make wearing them uncomfortable and, in some cases, even more difficult to breathe. When wearing a mouthguard for sports or teeth grinding, you want to be sure it’s comfortable so you’ll actually wear it.
Custom Mouthguards May Help Reduce Risk of Concussion
Research shows that custom mouthguards may help reduce the risk of concussions in sports [2]. In fact, football players wearing store-bought mouthguards were more than twice as likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries and concussions than those who were wearing custom mouthguards.
The higher level of protection of custom mouthguards is due partly to the thickness of the mouthguard, as custom mouthguards are more than twice as thick as over-the-counter options, on average. Not only is the cost of a custom mouthguard well worth preventing a head injury, but it can also save you money in restorative dental work as well.
Invest in a More Comfortable and Longer-Lasting Mouthguard
Since custom mouthguards are made to fit your smile, they feel more natural and are more comfortable to wear. Since they fit better and are thicker, they also tend to last much longer than store-bought options, giving you a longer-lasting investment.
Instead of buying a new over-the-counter mouthguard every so often, invest in a custom mouthguard, which can last for years with the right care. Since a custom mouthguard also better protects your smile, you can save money in emergency dental visits as well.
Ask Your Dentist About Custom Mouthguards
If you need a mouthguard to protect your teeth from teeth grinding or during sports games and practices, always consider a custom mouthguard for maximum protection and a better investment into your smile. Ask your dentist to give you a quote on a custom mouthguard during your next visit!
Sources:
1. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-
topics/athletic-mouth-protectors-mouthguards
2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140501101133.htm
