Mouthguards have many functions. They protect your teeth and mouth from injury and impact. They do this by protecting your teeth from the wear and tear of jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding that some people involuntarily do when they are asleep. This protects not just your teeth but also the soft tissues in your mouth, such as the tongue, gum, and cheeks. Mouth guards are also worn to prevent serious injuries resulting from tongue-biting or other impacts during athletic activities, too. Mouthguards also prevent snoring while you sleep.

There are different mouthguards that you can wear based on your dental needs. Read on to learn about mouthguards and which mouthguard is best for you.

Types of Mouthguards

The main types of mouthguards are standard, boil-and-bite, and custom-fitted mouthguards. You also have adjustable nightguards and Invisalign nightguards. Read on to know more about which type is used for the particular purpose that you are looking for.

Standard Mouthguards

Standard mouthguards or stock mouthguards are easily available in most drugstores or sporting stores. They are relatively inexpensive and come in fixed sizes like small, medium, and large. The issue with standard mouthguards is that they do not always fit well since they are not equipped to mold your teeth. Because of this, they can be pretty uncomfortable to wear.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are also easily available and tend to be more comfortable than standard mouthguards. They are made of thermoplastic materials, so you can mold them to fit your teeth.

First, you boil the mouthguard so that it softens. Place the softened mouthguard in your mouth and press it onto your teeth with your fingers. Once it is fitted over your teeth, bite down on it so that it takes on the mold of your teeth. You can heat and mold the mouthguard multiple times until you get the right fit.

It's best to follow the specific instructions that come with the boil-and-bite mouthguard, which will tell you the exact steps to be followed when heating it and fitting it.

Custom-Fitted Mouthguards

Based on your needs, your dentist can design a customized mouthguard for you. They will do this by taking a mold of your teeth and creating a mouthguard that fits the mold. Custom-fitted mouthguards provide the best cushioning for your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth.

Another benefit of these mouthguards is that the dentist will make them according to your specific functional needs, such as protection from athletic injury or to prevent wear and tear from your teeth-grinding habit. These mouthguards are comparatively more expensive but are the most comfortable to wear since they fit your teeth and mouth.

Your dental health insurance may cover the expense of custom-fitted mouthguards partially or completely. Check with your health insurance provider to find out if they do.

Adjustable Mouthguards

These are also called adjustable mouthpieces or adjustable nightguards. They are usually worn while sleeping to help reduce snoring, sleep apnea, or jaw-clenching. These mouthguards come with a few different size settings that you can switch between to increase or decrease the size of the mouthpiece.

Invisalign Mouthguards

Standard and adjustable night guards are great, but they can be uncomfortable to wear over time. To avoid this, your dentist can design an Invisalign night guard for you. These night guards are slimmer and almost transparent, so you can also wear them during the day to prevent clenching and grinding.

Which Type of Mouthguard Do I Need?

The type of mouthguard you need depends on the kind of protection you need and the situation you need. The following will help you understand which mouthguard may be most suitable and convenient for you, based on your specific needs.

Protection During Athletic Activity 

A sports mouthguard is helpful if you regularly play contact sports like football, soccer, rugby, basketball, or boxing. It protects your teeth, tongue, lips, and gums from impact and injury. An athletic guard will help prevent serious injury in case you get hit by a ball, another player, or in the case of a fall. A custom-made athletic guard will be the right option if you are a professional athlete or a regular player. It offers the best protection and the most intuitive fit.

Jaw-Clenching and Teeth-Grinding

A mouthguard helps protect your teeth from the regular wear and tear of jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding. These habits may be caused by bruxism—a medical condition responsible for teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching. Clenching and grinding wear away the enamel of your teeth, making them sensitive. It can damage and wear out costly dental fittings like crowns and implants. They can also lead to jaw pain and TMJ. A mouthguard keeps your teeth separated and helps maintain your jaw in position while you sleep. A custom-made mouthguard is suitable for this as it fits comfortably without getting easily dislodged.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Mouthguards help prevent sleep apnea and snoring. When you sleep, your jaws relax and fall back, so the airway at the back of your throat shrinks. This can block or reduce air passage and cause problems with breathing while you sleep. This is a condition called sleep apnea. Snoring happens because the tissues at the back of your throat vibrate when your jaw moves back closer to your throat.

A nightguard will shift your lower jaw forward and prevent the airway at the back of your throat from getting blocked. It is best to use a night guard that fits well and doesn't disturb your sleep. A custom-made night guard like Invisalign would be good as it is slimmer, less clunky, and keeps your jaw in place. You could also try an adjustable mouthguard which has options for adjusting the size, but the fit of a custom-made one is unbeatable.

Orthodontic Patients

Make sure you safeguard the results of your expensive orthodontic work. Night guards hold your teeth in place and prevent them from shifting while you sleep.

To find out if you need a mouthguard and which mouthguard will work best for you, visit Patriot Family Dental, your family dentist in Clarksville, TN. You can call us at (931) 645-2469 or book an appointment online now!