Athletic mouthguards are important for those who play contact sports like soccer, football, boxing, or hockey. You should protect your teeth if there’s a chance of colliding with other players or getting hit by a ball. We offer custom mouthguards as part of general dental care at our San Antonio, TX, dental office.
Using sports mouthguards can prevent issues such as tooth loss, and broken or chipped teeth. If you have a TMJ disorder, we may also suggest night guards that are similar to mouthguards. Sports mouthguards and TMJ night guards are not interchangeable, but both help protect your teeth.
Getting Custom Mouthguards in San Antonio, TX
It can take two visits to our dental office to get a custom mouthguard. We start by taking molds of your teeth and creating a template for the lab to make your mouthguard. The dental lab typically takes a week or two to make the mouthguard.
When the mouthguard is ready, we call you back into the office. During this visit, we’ll check that the mouthguard fits well on your teeth. It should cover your top teeth because your top teeth stick out more and are more likely to get hit during sports.
Only boxing mouthguards cover the upper and lower teeth. The mouthguard shouldn’t cover the molars or back teeth, as this can make the appliance bulkier. Once we ensure the mouthguard fits, we will give you a case that you can store your mouthguard in so you don’t lose or damage it.
Caring for Sports Mouthguards
After you get your sports mouthguard, make sure to clean it after every use. When cleaning the mouthguard, use a liquid antibacterial soap, lukewarm water, and your fingers. Do not use hot water because this can warp the mouthguard.
You can also deep clean your mouthguard with a mouthguard soak. Use a mouthguard soak if you or your child’s mouthguard begins to smell. Mouthguard cleaners keep the mouthguard fresh and prevent bacterial buildup.
Once your mouthguard is dry, put it in its case. Do not wrap your mouthguard in a napkin or paper towel because you can accidentally throw it away.
We recommend replacing your sports mouthguard as soon as it loses its shape. If your mouthguard does not fit correctly, visit our office so we can create a replacement. If you get a sports mouthguard for your child, ensure you get them a new one after every season. You may need to replace their mouthguard as they lose their baby teeth and their permanent teeth grow.
Custom Vs. Store-Bought Mouthguards
A common question we get is if custom mouthguards are worth it. Many over-the-counter sports mouthguards exist, but they don’t provide the benefits you get with a custom guard from a dentist. Mouthguards from drugstores say they give a custom fit, but they’re more like one-size-fits-all. They can fit lots of people, so they come in standard sizes.
Normally, you need to clench your teeth the whole time you wear your store-bought mouthguard to keep it in place. This makes it tough to talk with your team during play without taking it out, which can make teamwork harder. Plus, if it doesn’t fit well, it’s tricky to quickly grab a drink of water between plays.
When we make a custom mouthguard, we take molds of your teeth. A lab uses these molds and our instructions to create your mouthguard. We will make sure it fits well and stays securely in your mouth.
A sports mouthguard should prevent tooth damage, knocked-out teeth, and damage to metal braces. The mouthguard should absorb some of the shock from hits to the face.
Sports Mouthguards Vs. TMJ Mouthguards
Clenching your teeth for long periods has consequences. It causes tension throughout the head and face and can contribute to TMJ disorders. TMJ disorders can occur because of injury or stress on the temporomandibular joints. Damage to these joints that help you bite and chew can lead to painful symptoms.
You may experience pain, headaches, jaw joint clicking or popping, or tooth wear if you have TMD. TMJ disorders can also stop you from moving your jaw in certain ways.
Grinding your teeth at night also wears them down faster. Teeth clenching and grinding puts your teeth at a higher risk of chipping or breaking. A custom mouthguard can protect you from these conditions when you grind your teeth at night.
If you have a TMJ mouthguard, using it for sports is tempting. However, you should never use the guard for anything other than its specific use. You can damage your teeth and the mouthguard if you use them for other things. They consist of different materials, each designed for a certain function.
Sports mouthguards consist of a light and bulky material. Their main purpose is to absorb shocks from hits, distributing pressure throughout the mouthguard. A night guard is a heavier plastic that’s more compact. The night guard prevents your teeth from grinding together at night, protecting them from damage.
If you tried to use the sports mouthguard for teeth grinding, your teeth would work through the material. The mouthguard can’t stand up to constant pressure. It would wear down, and your teeth would grind against each other again.
Wearing a night guard for sports wouldn’t give you much protection. They won’t be much different than wearing no protection at all. Hits to the acrylic night guard would cause trauma to your mouth and damage to the night guard.
If you need a sports mouthguard and a TMJ night guard, we can provide both in our office. Use them separately for their intended uses.
Schedule an Appointment
Protect your teeth with a custom mouthguard in our San Antonio dental practice. Call Smile Land Family Dental today at 210-939-9689 or schedule an appointment online to learn more. Please get in touch with us with any questions about sports mouthguards or TMJ night guards. We’re here to help.