Your dentist creates a “custom” mouthguard for each individual based on their unique smile and demands. While store-bought mouthguards are less expensive, they are also less comfortable and effective.

Custom mouthguards are substantially smaller in size than over-the-counter alternatives due to the excellent fit. Because of the unique fit, the mouthguard stays in place until you remove it, making it more pleasant and effective.

Photo from: Custom Mouthguards: What You Need To Know | Yazdani Family Dentistry (yazdanidental.ca)

What are Mouthguards?

A mouthguard can prevent you against costly damage and save you hundreds of dollars in dental care over the course of your life. Inquire with your dentist if he or she notices any of the issues mentioned above, and notify the team if you participate in any contact sports. You and your dentist may work together to find the finest mouthguard solution for your unique needs, which will provide years of protection for your mouth.

It all depends on why you require a mouth guard. If you require one to protect your teeth while participating in contact sports, you should wear it at all practices and games. If you require a mouth guard to treat teeth grinding, snoring, or sleep apnea, you will most likely need to wear it every night while sleeping. If you’re unsure about how often you should wear your mouth guard, consult your doctor.

A custom mouthguard is a flexible, custom-fitted device that is worn by athletes over their teeth during athletics, or any other recreational activity to protect their teeth from damage. 

A high-quality custom mouthguard will: 

• Prevent cuts and bruises during impact
• Prevent tooth fractures or dislocations by cushioning the teeth 
• Protect opposite teeth from contact with each other 
• Protect your lower jaw from impact, damage, or fractures 
• Reduce injury to the brain 
• Act as a preventative measure against neck injuries 
• Help you feel more comfortable and protected 

Pressure laminated mouthguards are designed to be more durable than vacuum molded mouthguards. This is because of the amount of material required to make the mouthpiece. A single sheet of EVA material will not be as strong as several sheets fused together.

The effectiveness of a personalized mouthguard is determined by how well it is maintained. The first step is to make certain that the mouthguard is not being used incorrectly. This includes not chewing on the mouthguard’s ends. The mouthguard should also be cleaned on a regular basis to eradicate any bacteria that may have accumulated on it during use. Most bacteria on the mouthguard can be killed by soaking it in a cap full of mouthwash diluted in warm water for half an hour and then rinsing it. When not in use, the mouthguard should be stored in a case to keep it clean until its next usage.

If you participate in any sport, whether contact or non-contact, you should talk to your Calgary dentist about getting a bespoke mouthguard. It will protect your teeth from any injury caused by strikes or physical contact. A mouthguard will also reduce the possibility of soft tissue damage.

A custom mouthguard can help you in surprising ways.

Mouthguards are the protective oral devices that are commonly worn to protect teeth and gums from harm during contact sports. There’s a strong reason you should consider this sort of mouthguard first—even if you don’t participate in a contact sport, you’ve probably seen other people wearing them on TV during football or hockey games.

However, you may be surprised to hear that this is not the only form of mouthguard available or the only purpose for which mouthguards can be used. They are highly diverse, allowing different types of mouthguards to address a number of ailments such as TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), bruxism, and even sleep apnea.

Personalized mouthguards provide a better fit, comfort, and allow for easier speech and breathing than store-bought mouthguards. Those advantages are all secondary to the most crucial advantage, unrivaled protection.

Custom mouthguards provide additional protection in three ways:

• Protects the Jaw Joint. A person’s jaw joint is a fragile structure in their face. A severe enough hit or blow to the face can easily injure this joint, which can take a long time to heal and can lead to health problems if not treated appropriately. A bespoke mouthguard absorbs and distributes the force of a hit to the face more evenly, minimizing the stress that this joint may experience on both sides of the face.

• Cushions Teeth from High Force Impacts. In almost any sport, a hard hit to the teeth and mouth is conceivable. A bespoke mouthguard absorbs these hits better than other mouthguards, protecting both an athlete’s upper and lower teeth from chipping, breaking, or being knocked out of their mouth.

• Protects Soft Tissues. Gums are also protected by custom mouthguards. Face impacts can cause lacerations and bruising to the gums, which can be extremely painful. A personalized mouthguard can limit these types of injuries by cushioning the force of an impact.