Custom Mouthguards in Warren, MI
What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard, also known as a sports guard or a night guard, is an excellent way to protect your teeth from injury or damage. It’s a custom-made protective appliance that fits perfectly over your teeth, allowing you to stay safe while enjoying your active lifestyle. It also helps you avoid any harsh damage from bruxism, or teeth grinding.
At Warren Family Dentistry, we love getting to know our patients and gain a better understanding of their daily lifestyles. We enjoy hearing about the sports or activities that our patients play, which is why we’re committed to protecting your smile from possible dental accidents.
Learn how our experienced Warren dentist can custom fit you for a mouthguard that will provide you with the utmost safety and protection.
How a Mouthguard Can Benefit You
Mouthguards help protect your teeth, jaw, gums, and other parts of your mouth from becoming damaged. Whether you’re an avid sports player or have troubles with bruxism during sleep, a mouthguard is the most effective way to prevent future dental work later on and protect your smile’s beautiful look.
If you’re in need of a mouthguard, Dr. Behbood can help. She offers custom-made appliances to ensure your smile stays protected. She’ll examine your mouth, take a high-quality impression of your teeth, and send it to a special laboratory to create your mouthguard. We’re always committed to patient-first care, ensuring that your smile remains vibrant and protected.
Types of Mouthguards
There are several types of mouthguards to choose from, depending on your specific needs and budget. The three types of mouthguards available are:
- Stock mouthguards – This type of mouthguard is the most affordable and widely available mouthguard. Coming in either a small, medium, or large size, stock mouthguards typically only cover the top teeth. While they are easily accessible and inexpensive, they can be uncomfortable due to limited size options and don’t provide a tight fit.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards – Similar to stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards can be found in most drugstores and are relatively inexpensive. Boil-and-bite mouthguards come in one size that you customize to your teeth. This involves boiling the guard until it softens and then placing it over your front teeth and biting down.
- Custom-made mouthguards – This mouthguard comes custom-made from your dentist. They’ll take an impression of your teeth and use it to create a mouthguard specifically for the structure of your teeth and mouth. This will provide you with a much better fit than either stock or boil-and-bite mouthguards, which makes them more comfortable and harder to accidentally dislodge when you’re sleeping.
Caring For Your Mouthguard
It’s crucial to take proper care of your mouthguard and protect it from damage. To get the most out of your mouthguard, we recommend following these guidelines:
- Brush and floss before putting in your mouthguard.
- Rinse your mouthguard with cold water or mouthwash before putting it in and after taking it out. Avoid using hot water, which can misshape it.
- Regularly check for holes or other signs of damage.
- Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean it after use.
- Bring your mouthguard to your dental appointments so we can ensure it properly works and fits.
- Store your mouthguard in a hard container with some ventilation for protection and allow it to dry between uses.
It’s important to keep in mind that mouthguards don’t last forever. Replace your mouthguard as soon as you notice any hole or signs of wear, or every two to three years. You may need to replace stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards more regularly.
