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Why Custom Mouth Guards are Better Than Store-Bought

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Mouth guards are essential for protecting teeth and gums during sports, preventing teeth grinding and maintaining overall oral health. A person doesn’t have to have sensitive mouth issues to justify wearing a mouth guard. In fact, chances are that when a person shows up on the sports field, or even in the backyard for touch football to run off calories after enjoying a big Thanksgiving meal, others will start to wear mouth guards, too. No one wants a mouth injury, and mouth guards are known to be effective. But custom mouth guards, which you can get at your orthodontist in West Bradenton, FL, are better. Here’s why.

Superior Fit and Comfort

Custom mouth guards are made based on impressions taken by a dental professional, ensuring a snug fit. Store-bought mouth guards are made in generic sizes that don’t account for individual variations in mouth shape. If you consider that you have to drop a store-bought mouth guard into a pot of hot water to try to mold it to your own teeth, you can see that’s just a crazy way to make sure your teeth and gums are protected!

Enhanced Protection

A custom mouth guard is going to be better at absorbing and distributing impact, hands down. Store-bought options may shift or not cover all necessary areas, leaving parts of the mouth vulnerable to injury. So even if it’s just to protect your mouth on “Turkey Day” or any other day of the year, custom mouth guards are the way to go.

Durability and Longevity

Custom mouth guards are made from high-quality materials designed to withstand wear and tear over time. Store-bought mouth guards, are made from cheaper materials that can wear down quickly or lose their shape.

The durability and long-term protection of custom mouth guards in West Bradenton, FL make them a better investment, providing both peace of mind and better oral health outcomes.

Care and Maintenance of Your Mouth Guard

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An important aspect of your orthodontic treatment is your mouth guard. Even though many youngsters don’t relish wearing their mouth guard, it ensures that teeth remain in their new position and that the successful West Bradenton, FL orthodontics treatment is not undone. The mouth guard is durable, but not invincible so, to be sure it does the job right, it’s essential to understand how to care for and maintain it.

Clean and Sterilize it on a Regular Basis

Just like teeth and gums, the mouth guard needs daily cleaning. At the end of each day, carefully remove the mouth guard and rinse it under clear, running water that’s warm, but not hot. This will get rid of most of the saliva and any food debris. Note that using too hot water could warp the appliance slightly. Next, gently brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle toothpaste. For mouthguards, a non-gel toothpaste is preferred. The brushing action will help keep the mouthguard free of bacteria.

Store it Properly

If the mouthguard isn’t in the mouth, it should be in its proper storage container, which will be provided by the orthodontist. Leaving it on the sink, on a towel, a countertop, a desk or other similar places can easily lead to accidents. Someone else in the family or at school can easily miss seeing it and accidentally knock it to the floor, or it can get bent if something is inadvertently placed on top of it. Make sure the storage case is clean as well, washing it with soap and water regularly. Keeping the mouth guard dry and stored in a protective case helps maintain its shape and function.

Your West Bradenton, FL orthodontist will provide you with official guidelines for cleaning and maintaining your mouth guard. For more information, contact us today.