How Custom Mouthguards are Beneficial
At Deer Valley Dental Care, we make our custom mouthguards in house. This allows us to adjust the fit and reduce the wait time for producing the mouthguard.
A custom fit mouthguard should feel comfortable, to increase the likelihood of you wearing it. Additionally, because of their precise shape, they do not move as easily when worn. This helps protect against injury to your teeth and the tissues in your oral cavity.
The thickness of the device can be adjusted depending on the condition of your mouth. This sets a custom mouthguard apart from over-the-counter mouthguards, as it’s made unique for the patient using it.
Caring for Your Mouthguard
Whether you use your mouthguard at night or while you're playing sports, it's important to take good care of it.
- Make sure to clean your mouthguard before and after use.
- You can rinse it with cold water or clean it using a toothbrush and warm soapy water.
- When not in use, store your mouthguard in a perforated container to protect it from damage and allow it to stay dry.
- Avoid exposing your mouth guard to direct heat to keep it in shape.
- Let your dentist examine your mouth guard during your dental visits.
Are Mouthguards Built to Last?
Custom mouthguards are durable and can last a long time. However, they will need to be replaced eventually as they can wear over time.
For active athletes, your dentist may advise that you replace your mouthguard twice a year, along with your routine dental check-ups.
Meanwhile, others may have to change their mouthguard to adjust to developments in their mouth.
If you're wearing your mouthguard to protect your teeth from grinding while you sleep, your mouth will still make the grinding movements, and wear down the mouthguard instead. This may mean it needs to be replaced more often.