The Best Way to Clean Your Mouth Guard
Dental mouth guards are protective devices designed to shield your teeth from damage and prevent oral injuries. Not all mouthguards are alike or are used for the same purpose.
Different Types of Dental Mouth Guards and Their Features
Stock mouth guards: These are pre-formed, over-the-counter dental protectors that are fairly inexpensive and readily available. They are used to cover your top teeth. These mouth guards come in different sizes but do not provide a very secure fit.
Boil-and-bite mouth guards: These thermoplastic over-the-counter mouth guards are relatively inexpensive and offer better adaptation to your dental structure. They are made out of a plastic material, that softens when placed in water. This mouth guard molds to your teeth for a more secure fit.
Custom-made mouth guards: Visit your professional dental clinic in Edmonton for mouth guards for a custom-made mouth guard. Your experienced Edmonton dentist for custom fitting will take molds of your teeth to create a mouth-guard that fits precisely. These are more comfortable than other options. They stay in place better when you sleep.
How to Choose the Right Type of Mouth Guard for Your Specific Needs
Mouth Guards for Sports:
Sports put you at high risk for injuries and teeth trauma. They require you to wear a mouth guard for protection. Some examples include:
• Wrestling
• Softball
• Volleyball
• Cycling
• In-line skating
• Skateboarding
• Gymnastics
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Football
• Ice hockey
If you play a high-impact sport or any sport listed above, a boil-and-bite mouth guard works well for you.
Mouth Guards for Bruxism:
Bruxism or teeth grinding is a common condition that can cause mouth pain and teeth damage. If you suffer from bruxism, it is important to wear a mouth guard. This will keep your top and bottom teeth apart to stop the pressure from grinding.
The best option for you would be a custom-fitted mouth guard made by your Edmonton dentist.
Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea:
Sleep apnea treatment with custom mouth guards is a serious breathing disorder that temporarily stops your breathing multiple times during sleep cycles.
The best option for you is a custom-made mouth guard which keeps your airways open while you sleep.
Mouth Guards for Snoring:
Snoring occurs when soft tissue in your upper airway vibrates during breathing while you sleep.
If you snore, notify your Edmonton dentist. They can design a custom-made mouth guard or can offer you other suggestions.
Essential Cleaning Tips to Maintain Your Dental Mouth Guard’s Hygiene
The Importance of Proper Mouth Guard Maintenance
It is time to learn the importance of caring for your mouth guard. Without proper oral appliance care, your mouth guard can become contaminated with bacteria, damaged from improper handling, and costly to replace. Here are four professional dental cleaning and preventive care tips to keep your mouthguard harm and damage free.
• Use an antibacterial soap: Rinsing your mouth guard is not enough. Use an antibacterial soap to clean your mouth guard and remove germs. Remember to properly rinse your mouth guard before placing it in your mouth to avoid a soapy taste.
• Deep clean your dental mouth guard once per week: Using a toothbrush, toothpaste and water are effective to eliminate any germs on your mouth guard. However, when you scrub too hard it can damage your mouth guard. Use professional denture cleaner for oral appliances instead, it is gentler and effective.
• Clean your case: You may be cleaning your mouth guard properly but what about its case? Bacteria in your case create an unhealthy environment to store your mouth guard in. Simply use an old toothbrush, antibacterial soap and some water to scrub it clean.
• Replace your dental mouth guard when structural integrity is compromised: If your mouthguard begins to show signs of damage it is important to inform your Edmonton dentist. When there are large cracks in a mouth guard it should be replaced. The cracks can trap bacteria easily and spread infection.
Practical Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Your Dental Mouth Guard
The above tips are some great ways to keep your mouth guard clean. Follow these five tips to protect your mouth guard and maintain its condition.
• Store your mouth guard in its protective case whenever you are not wearing it.
• Keep your mouth guard out of the sun or hot water.
• Avoid chewing on your mouth guard.
• Replace your mouth guard when it no longer fits properly. Or at the beginning of a new sports season.
How to Improve Your Dental Health with Professional Mouth Guards
Visit an Edmonton orthodontist’s clinic for your custom-made mouth guard.
Key Takeaways about Dental Mouth Guards
- Dental mouth guards shield teeth from damage and prevent oral injuries through different types including stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-made options that vary in fit quality and comfort.
- Athletes participating in high-impact sports like wrestling, basketball, or ice hockey benefit most from boil-and-bite mouth guards that offer better protection than stock options.
- People suffering from bruxism require mouth guards to keep top and bottom teeth separated, with custom-fitted guards from professional dentists being the most effective solution.
- Sleep apnea patients can improve their breathing during sleep cycles with custom-made mouth guards that maintain open airways throughout the night.
- Gallery Dental recommends using antibacterial soap for daily cleaning and professional denture cleaner for weekly deep cleaning to maintain mouth guard hygiene and prevent bacterial contamination.
- Proper mouth guard maintenance includes regular cleaning of both the guard and its storage case to prevent bacterial growth that could lead to infections.
- The lifespan of dental mouth guards extends significantly when users avoid exposing them to heat, refrain from chewing on them, and store them properly in protective cases when not in use.
- Mouth guards with large cracks or significant damage should be replaced immediately as these defects trap bacteria and compromise the 37% protection they normally provide against dental injuries.
- Custom-fitted mouth guards from experienced Edmonton dentists offer superior comfort and stay in place better during sleep compared to over-the-counter alternatives.
- For optimal dental health improvement, patients should consult with professional orthodontists who can design mouth guards specifically for conditions like snoring, bruxism, or sports protection.
