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Mouthguards in Pensacola, FL

Bruxism is a habit of grinding or clenching the teeth.  Clenching means you tightly hold your top and bottom teeth together. Grinding is when you slide your teeth back and forth over each other. Bruxism can happen in children and adults of any age. A common treatment for this problem is a custom mouthguard. Additionally, the American Dental Association recommends athletes wear custom mouthguards for sports to avoid severe injuries.

Mouth guards are removable dental accessories that protect the teeth and gums from trauma and injuries. Initially used by athletes, mouthguards have become increasingly popular among people who have bruxism as they provide increased tooth protection and are easy to use.

Types of mouthguards

  1. Preformed mouthguards: Preformed mouthguards are available at sports stores and have a unique teeth pattern. They are the most affordable version available, but they score low on points of comfort. Unless the wearer has perfectly aligned teeth, the comfort level will be average. There are many people who find these preformed mouthguards painful on the gums.
  2. “Boil and bite” mouthguards: Partially adjustable, the “boil and bite” mouthguards are also found at sports stores. They are flat and relatively hard. Put them in a pot of boiled water to soften, let it cool a little until it reaches a bearable temperature, then mold it onto the teeth using fingers and tongue. These mouthguards are significantly more comfortable than the preformed ones.
  3. Personalized or custom mouthguards: Made in the dental office, personalized mouthguards are the best fitting devices. To make the safest and most comfortable mouthguard, Dr. Tredway takes an impression of patent’s teeth. The impression is used to mold a personalized mouthguard from a soft, and resistant material. They are unbeatable when it comes to comfort and protection. Personalized mouthguards are highly recommended for patients wearing braces.

Who should wear mouthguards

  • Professional athletes who play boxing, ice hockey, soccer, football or any other sport where the risk of dental injury is high. Mouthguards for rugby is essential.
  • Children and adults who engage in the above-mentioned sports or other dangerous activities with risks of injury (e.g. skateboarding).
  • People who grind their teeth at night. Grinding damages the tooth enamel applies pressure on jaws and provokes pain and headache. To prevent the discomfort, a special mouthguard or a nocturnal bite plate can be attached to teeth. Worn all night long, it prevents grinding and reduces its damages.

Mouthguard Care and Maintenance

Care and maintenance of a mouthguard is relatively simple and does not require a lot of time. The basic rule is to keep it clean! Rinse your mouthguard or clean it with a mild cleanser after each use and rinse it thoroughly before putting it back in your mouth. Store it in a ventilated container to prevent damage or bad odor.

With the right mouthguard, you will feel confident. If you are planning to get a mouthguard, contact our friendly staff today. Prior to using a mouthguard, it is recommended to ask for a dentist’s advice. Regardless if it is a personalized mouthguard or just a simple preformed version, they will give you the best advice about how to use it and care for it.