What are Mouthguards?
Mouthguards are dental appliances worn over the upper teeth during contact sports or other activities at risk for head injuries, so they don’t damage the lower teeth or soft tissues in the mouth.
Benefits of mouthguards
A mouthguard can help prevent damage and injury to the teeth, lips, tongue or jaw from contact sports such as boxing and football. They can be made from various flexible materials, including thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and silicone.
Listed below are some of the many benefits of mouthguards:
- Mouthguards prevent cuts and bruises caused by collisions with hard objects.
- An effective mouthguard can protect against neck injuries.
- A mouthguard can reduce the chance of a concussion. The jaws can clash violently without a mouthguard, resulting in a concussion when an impact occurs to the mouth.
- A mouthguard protects the lower jaw from fracturing or being damaged and protect the teeth from breaking or dislocating.
- A protective layer protects opposing teeth from contacting one another.
Why Choose Narre Warren Dental Care for Mouthguards
Getting fitted for a mouthguard at the dentist can take up to an hour and cost you hundreds of dollars.
Narre Warren Dental Care offers custom-made mouthguards in just 10 minutes at an affordable price. We make them right here in our clinic, so we have all the tools and materials on hand to make your custom guard quickly and easily.
Our professional staff will guide you through each step of the process, from getting a mould of your teeth to choosing which colour guard is best for you. You don’t even need an appointment!
Frequently asked questions
answers to some of our most frequently asked questions or browse through below for more information.
1. Stock mouthguards:- Stock mouth protectors are over-the-counter mouthguards that can be purchased over the counter in sporting goods and drug stores. These guards are the cheapest option and offer a poor fit and minimal protection from dental injuries or dental damages. Dental professionals do not recommend using them.
2. Mouth-formed mouthguards:- Mouth-formed mouthguards are either shell liners or boil-and-bite mouthguards. They are also over-the-counter mouthguards. The former is lined with a gel that moulds to teeth, while the latter, constructed from thermoplastic. While they certainly offer better protection than stock mouth guards, both types of these mouthful mouthing gadgets come in bulky packages which do not provide the exact fit as custom-fitted mouthguards!
Custom mouth guards provide maximum protection, fit perfectly, and are comfortable. According to instructions from the dentist, they are created individually in the dentist’s clinic or a professional laboratory and according to your specifications. Custom-made mouth guards are more expensive than other types, but they provide the best comfort and protection.
Here are the suggestions for you:-
- After each use, wash the mouth guard in soap and warm (not hot water) water. Let it air-dry
- Regularly wash the mouthguard with a mouthwash.
When not in use, store the mouthguard in a ventilated plastic container.
- The mouthguard should not be left in direct sunlight, in a closed car or in the car’s glove compartment. The heat can cause damage to it.
- Check your mouthguard before each use, replace it if it is damaged and keep it in good condition.
- Every time you visit your dentist, have your mouthguard checked.